Southern Jewish Life
December 2023
Volume 33 Issue 10
Southern Jewish Life P.O. Box 130052 Birmingham, AL 35213 Pensacola, Fla.
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
shalom y’all There have been so many emotions expressed by members of the Jewish community, and others who support Israel, since Oct. 7 — and the range often varies widely in the same day. One that isn’t often mentioned is being insulted. The insult comes in how the current Gaza operation is being framed, what the outcome should be, and how Israel should conduct this war. Even before Israel went into Gaza — a place it really didn’t want to enter — following Oct. 7, Israel’s response to the Hamas invasion that left 1,200 dead and over 200 captive was framed as “revenge.” Revenge? With Hamas saying that it wants to repeat what it did on Oct. 7 until Israel gets the message and the Jews leave the region? Revenge? Instead, Israel is working to end a threat that would bring more bloodshed down the road. None of the previous limited operations ended the threat, it just brought another round of bloodshed later. So many are calling for a ceasefire. The calls came as early as Oct. 8, before Israel had even responded. Hamas had their fun, now it’s time for a ceasefire. What an insult — Israel has no right to defend itself from an enemy whose charter calls for its elimination? Actually, that’s often heard from the anti-Israel crowd, including the leadership of the “civil rights group” Council on American-Islamic Relations — since Israel has no right to be there, they have no right to self-defense. Correspondingly, the Palestinians are justified in anything they do to overthrow the “settler colonialists” (the fallacy of which would be a whole separate article). Hamas started a war. One does not start a war and then immediately call for the other side to cease fire. What would end the war within hours? A Hamas surrender and the release of the remaining hostages. Why do the peaceniks not call for that? Because they want Hamas to remain intact. Anything short of the complete destruction of Hamas would be seen by Hamas and Iran as a victory (laughable as it may be) — and would put peace in the region in jeopardy, because if Israel can’t take care of business against Hamas, how much help will they be to the countries that have allied
Southern Jewish Life is an independent Jewish periodical. Articles and columns do not necessarily reflect the views of any Jewish institutions, agencies or congregations in our region.
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MESSAGES MESSAGES commentary Maccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games Maccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games MESSAGES
I have had the honor of attending many Maccabi competitions around the world. From Israel IAustralia have hadtothe honor of attending many Maccabi competitions From Israel to South America, Europe and the Maccabi gamesaround aroundthe theworld. United States with them recently through the Abraham Ac-JCC highest aspiration is to be a martyr while takMaccabi USA leader praises Birmingham Games to Australia toI have South America, Europe and thehow JCCsports Maccabi games aroundtothe United States and Canada, logged many miles seeing can be a vehicle help build Jewish cords against the Iranian threat? ing Jews out with them. and Canada, I haveinlogged many miles seeing how sports can be a vehicle to help build Jewish identity, our young. It’s a especially dirtythe little secret, but behind the For heaven’s around sake, the head of Hamas I have had honor of attending many Maccabi competitions the world. From Israelin identity, especially in our young. scenes, mosttoof the Arab is rooting forJCC felt honored to come toworld Birmingham forthe the first timewhile andgames fell inaround love with justhad the Gaza, imprisoned in not Israel, acity brain to IAustralia South America, Europe and Maccabi the United States I felt honored to come tomany Birmingham for the first time andlevel fell with notbuild just the citysurIsrael against but the people. You have taken Southern hospitality to a new with your kind and tumor and hisa in lifelove was by caring Israeli and Canada, IHamas. have logged miles seeing how sports can be vehicle tosaved help Jewish but the people. You Southerntohospitality to a new with your kind and They know that ifhave Hamas continues exist, geons. approach to the JCC Maccabi Games. Onelevel of those surgeons hascaring a nephew identity, especially in ourtaken young. approach to the JCCattacks Maccabi Games. there will be more on Israel, and instawho is now a hostage in Gaza. Led by the Sokol and Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful. They partnered I felt honored tothe come to Birmingham for the first time and fell in love with not just theareas city to bility throughout region. Israel civilians inThey enemy Led by the Sokol and Helds, hard-working wereJCC wonderful. partnered with your outstanding staff, ledyour by Betzy Lynch, to volunteers make thewarns 2017 Maccabi games a huge hit. butThe the people. You have taken Southern hospitality to a new level with your kind and caring next insult is how the world is lecturing leave, giving up any element of surprise, and your outstanding staff, led by Betzy Lynch, to make the 2017 JCC Maccabi games a huge hit. Iwith want to take this opportunity as executive director of Maccabi USA to say thank you on behalf approach to thetoJCC Maccabi Israel on how theGames. war. Watch director out noofdoubt Hamas takeyou advantage I want to take this conduct opportunity as executive Maccabi USA fighters to say thank on behalfof of everyone involved. for civilians! Be more in your targets! the heads-up. by theinvolved. Sokol andselective Helds, your hard-working volunteers were wonderful. They partnered of Led everyone I had just returned from the 20th World Maccabiah games in Israel with a U.S.games delegation Remember the humanity Gazans! This war2017 could have been over within days, with your outstanding staff,of led by Betzy Lynch, to make the JCC Maccabi a hugeof hit. I had returned theJewish 20th World Maccabiah games Israel with U.S. delegation of over 1100, who joined 10,000 athletes fromwith 80ofcountries. Backto in Julyathank the eyes ofonthe entire The world isthis full of from chutzpah. Gaza in a parking lot and an eye-popping I want tojust take opportunity as executive director Maccabi USA say you behalf over 1100, who joined 10,000 athletes fromdeath 80This countries. Back in minimize July theathletes eyes of the entire Jewish world were on and the Maccabiah. pastBut month with 1000 and how thisJerusalem started.Jewish Hamas came in, toll. no, to civilian casualof Remember everyone involved. Jewish world were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and coaches from around the world being in Birmingham, you became the focal point. specifically to attack civilians. They used rape, ties, Israel risks its own soldiers by going in on I had just from the 20th World Maccabiah games in Israel with a point. U.S. delegation of coaches fromreturned around the world being inin Birmingham, you became focal torture and other inhumane methods their the ground, far the more tedious and dangerous Everyone from the Jewish and the community atalarge, wonderful over 1100, who joined 10,000community Jewish athletes from 80 countries. Back including in July theaeyes of the entire rampage, from infants to the elderly. Ifgames you form of warfare. Everyone from the Jewish community and the community at large, including a wonderful police force, are to be commended. These will go down in history as being a seminal Jewish world were on Jerusalem and the Maccabiah. This past month with 1000 athletes and haven’t seen theJewish the Hamas terrorists a lot ofhistory peopleassuch refuse see the evipolice are tofootage be the commended. These gamestowill go down atoseminal moment for the community as in we build theAnd future byinproviding wonderful Jewish coachesforce, from around world being Birmingham, you became the focalbeing point. themselves listen community to those who seento dence before them, ofsuch Hamas rocket launchmoment fortook, the Jewish ashave we build the future by providing wonderful Jewish memories. Everyone the Jewish community and the at large, including a wonderful that footage.from Barbaric doesn’t begin to cover it. community ers in school playgrounds, weapons caches in memories. Jed police force, aresaid to be commended. go downoperational in history asheadquarters being a seminal ItMargolis has been that at least theThese Nazisgames had will mosques, in hospiJed Margolis Executive Director, Maccabi USA moment for theabout Jewish community as wedoing, build to tals, the future by providing wonderful Jewish some qualms what they were ambulances usedsuch as fighter transports, Executive Director, USAnecessity. The memories. they viewed it as anMaccabi unpleasant tunnel entrances in nurseries. like tofolks see pushed back Hamas terrorists loved what they were doing supremacists Of course, would these same used to talk of Jed Margolis On Charlottesville supremacists would like to see pushed back into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand and reveled in it. the “open air prison” and “concentration camp” Executive Director, Maccabi USA On Charlottesville into aand corner and made to feel lesser. WeHeyer, standall with pray for the family of Heather So it is Israel that needs to be lectured on of Gaza, but now we’re being regaled with Editor’s Note: This reaction to the events in with was andof pray for the family ofthe Heather Heyer, who there standing up to face ofof this humanity, by This the likes of Russia China? manner videos showing how much a parEditor’s Note: reaction to the and events in Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, supremacists would like to see pushed back who was there standing up to the face of this hate. Remember, we’re the people who introduced adise Gaza was before Israel’s recent response. On Charlottesville Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, Master of the Alpha Epsilon Pi Theta Colony into a corner and made to feel lesser. We stand the world to Alpha the concept of b’tzelem elokim, hate. Even if Western media and activists refuse Master of the Epsilon Pi Theta Colony Weand recognize the essence of the American at Auburn University, was shared by AEPi with pray for the family of Heather Heyer, that all people, of all nations, are created in the to acknowledge it, Hamas knows full well that Editor’s Note: This reaction to the events in Wewas recognize the essence theface American at Auburnwhich University, shared by AEPiand narrative as a two-century old struggle rid National, calledwas it “very eloquent” who there standing up toofthe oftothis divine image and thus have infinite worth. Israel tries to minimize civilian casualties Charlottesville, written by Jeremy Newman, narrative two-century old struggle to rid National, which calledatitAEPi “veryTheta eloquent” andat ourselves of asuch corners, and allow those inand praised “our brothers Colony hate. thatas We’reof the people our uses because they have Master thebrothers Alpha Epsilon Pileadership ThetaColony Colony ourselves ofoperationally, such corners, and allowsothose in praised “our atwho AEPi Theta at them the seat at the table that they deserve. Auburn University and… thecelebrate theyfreedom from slavery with expression of con- shown time and again that they seethetheir We recognize the essence of the American at Auburn University, was shared by AEPi them the seat at the table that they so of deserve. Auburn University and… the leadership they It is the struggle to fulfill the promise display on their campus. ” an cern foronthe Egyptians to dieand in the people asaslittle more than cannon for narrative aoftwo-century old struggle tothe ridare National, which called it”who “veryhad eloquent” It is the struggle to fulfill the promise ofmen display their campus. Declaration Independence, that “allfodder process. propaganda purposes. So the calls for Israel to ourselves of such corners, and allow those in praised “our brothers at AEPi Theta Colony at Declaration of Independence, thatCreator “all menwith are created equal… endowed by their Israel issupremacy about the sanctity ofa each life, “more careful” an that insult toCreator Israel and them the seat at endowed theare table they so deserve. Auburn and… the leadership they WhiteUniversity has been cancer onwhile be created equal… their witha certain unalienable rights. ”by We know our work in Gaza, tell their children that It is struggle to fulfill the promise ofpage the display onmothers their campus. ” been White supremacy a cancer ontheir is our country since itshas beginning, threatening certain unalienable rights. ” We know our work continued 15 farthe from finished, but we know weon will not Declaration of Independence, that “all men ourhopes, country since itsand beginning, its its values, its better threatening angels. is far from finished, but we know we will notare move backwards. createdbackwards. equal… endowed by their Creator with its hopes, values, itsinbetter angels. The eventsitsthat tookand place Charlottesville move Whenunalienable men and women, armed, White has been a cancer on certain rights.” fully We know ourtake work The eventssupremacy that in nation. Charlottesville represented the took worstplace of this Those When men and women, fully armed, take to the streets in droves with swastikas and our country since its beginning, threatening is far from finished, but we know we will not represented theonto worst ofstreets this nation. Those who marched the with tiki torches Canary Mission is dangerous organization to the symbols streets inofdroves other hate, itwith is a swastikas reminder and of how its hopes, its values, and its better angels. move backwards. who marched ontosothe with tiki torches and swastikas did to streets provoke violence and other symbols of hate, it is a reminder how relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism The events that took place in Charlottesville I swastikas am disturbed inand your fy those individuals, their approach ofofpublishand did sobyto your provoke violence fear. Those who marched ontoinclusion the streets did When men and women, fully armed, take relevant the issues of racism and anti-Semitism are today. It is a wake-up call to the work that represented the worst of this nation. Those Nov. 29 e-newsletter of the website posting by ing information online, as they have done in the fear. marched that ontoharkens the streets did so toThose professwho an ideology back to to the streets ina droves with swastikas andthat are today. It is wake-up call to the work needs to be done to ensure a better, more who marched onto the streets with tiki torches Canary Mission about Abraham Quraan, the article you linked to about Abraham Quraan, to profess an wretched ideology that back to asobleaker, more timeharkens in our history. other symbols of hate, it it is should aa reminder of how needs to bewrong done toand ensure better, more welcoming country. But not come swastikas did so towomen provoke and an is man who wasmen arrested for the assault against simply potentially dangerous. aand bleaker, more wretched time in our history. A time when and ofviolence many creeds, relevant athe issues ofon racism andwe’ve anti-Semitism welcoming country. But it should not come without reflection how far come. fear. Those who marched onto the streets did Israel in and the area Tulane University Mission’s articles about Mr. Quraan A timesupporter when men women of many creeds, races, and religions were faroffrom equal and far Canary are today.a reflection It is a wake-up callfar to we’ve the work that without how come. so to profess an ideology thatfrom harkens back on Oct. 26.in many others noton descriptions races, and religions far equal andtofar and America was born aonly slaveinclude nation. A century from safe our ownwere borders. A time where needs to be done to ensure a better, more a bleaker, more wretched time in our history. I was familiar with theA Canary Mission of those people’s activities (many of which America was born a slave nation. century from safenot in our own borders. time where into our history we engaged in a war part are Americans lived under a constant cloud of welcoming country. But it should notAin come A time when men and and women of many creeds, organization. I visited their website and also legal even if would others find them offensive), into our history we engaged in a war in part Americans lived under a constant cloud ofIThe to ensure we not continue as one. We but racism, anti-Semitism pervasive hate. without a reflection on how far we’ve come. races,some and religions were far fromabout equal and farI also read otherplace online articles them. include personal information including to ensure we would not continue one. Wecivil racism, anti-Semitism and pervasive hate. The found ourselves confronted by theasissue of events that took in Charlottesville served America was born aon slave nation. century from safe intook our own Arelevant time am troubled by borders. this group and where their tac- their jobs, about their found ourselves confronted by the issue of civil events that in Charlottesville served rights, and information embarked a mission toAresidences, ensure as a very reminder of place how painfully these intofair our history weofengaged in ano war part Americans under constant cloud of tics. I are am today. alllived in ofa combatting thethese rise of links toand their social media, and other identifyrights, embarked a mission toin ensure as a reminder of favor how painfully relevant the treatment allonpeoples matter their issues to ensure we would not continue asinvitation one. We racism,are anti-Semitism and pervasiveas hate. antisemitism on college campuses, theyThe say ing details. This is of nothing but an for the fair treatment all peoples no matter their issues today. skin color. Although we’ve made great strides, Auburn’s Alpha Epsilon Pi stands the found ourselves confronted by thegreat issue of civil events that took place in Charlottesville served is their mission. But their tactic, of with publishing vigilantism and in no way serves the strides, cause of skin color. Although we’ve made it is a mission we’re still grappling with today. Alpha Epsilon Pi stands with the in- fighting Jewish community of painfully Charlottesville, and rights, and embarked ongrappling a missionwith to ensure as Auburn’s a reminder of how relevant these information that they gather online about antisemitism. it is a mission we’re still today. Jewish community of Charlottesville, and also anlink immigrant with Jewish around country fair of born allthat peoples no issuesthe are today. dividuals whompeople they judge astheantisemites, is theIAmerica urgetreatment youwas to retract andmatter desist their from America was also born an immigrant with the Jewish people around the country country. As early as the pilgrims, manystrides, and around the world. We also stand with the skin color. Although we’ve made great problematic for many reasons. sharing information from this dangerous orgaAuburn’swho Alpha Epsilon stands with the country. As early as still the pilgrims, many and world. We Pi also stand with the groups and families found in the country the minorities targeted the hate that it is a mission we’re grappling with today. It around is not atthe allare clear who isbybehind this organization, which I believe does a disservice to the Jewish community of Charlottesville, and groups and families found in the country the minorities who are targeted by the hate that opportunity to plant stakes, chase their future, was on display in Charlottesville. We stand nization. Why would you, or anyone, trust that Jewish community, regardless of their intentions. America was also born an immigrant with the Jewish people around the country opportunity to plantFew stakes, chase their future, was on in Charlottesville. We stand and be themselves. wereMark met with open with thedisplay minorities of whom these white they are accurately determining who is guilty Zimmerman country. As early asFew the pilgrims, many and around the world. We also stand with theof and be themselves. were met with open with the minorities of whom these white antisemitism? if they correctly identi- groups and families found in the country Via the email minorities whoAnd are even targeted by the hate that
letters
on display in•Charlottesville. We stand 4wasDecember 2023 Southern Jewish Life with the minorities of whom these white
opportunity to plant stakes, chase their future, and be themselves. Few were met with open
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agenda interesting bits & can’t miss events Photo by James Henry Brook
Mollie Adams and Springhill Avenue Temple Rabbi Edward Boraz lead Hatikvah at the end of Mobile Stands with Israel, coordinated by the Mobile Area Jewish Federation and held on Nov. 2 at Cottage Hill Baptist Church. Among the speakers was new Pensacola Shlicha Mia Slonimski, and during the memorial prayer led by Ahavas Chesed Rabbi Steve Silberman, there was the reading of a lengthy list of names of people she knew who were murdered on Oct. 7.
Knesseth Israel debuts Holy Crepe kosher food truck Birmingham is about to have a kosher dining option, as Knesseth Israel is debuting its new food truck this month. Holy Crepe had a Chanukah event on Dec. 13 at the Shell station on Overton Road, and was at the Levite Jewish Community Center on Dec. 15, catering the monthly “Honor Our Parents” Shabbat get-together. Nathan Lichtenstein, who was born and raised in a Hasidic community in Williamsburg, is the chef behind Holy Crepe. After the opening events, the plan is to have the cart at different area hospitals on a rotating basis, and there will also be availability for catering and other events. Beth Smokey said that after the congregation moved out of its building, they wanted to do something to maintain a community presence, and provide “something innovative and different, something that would be well received by the Jewish and non-Jewish community.” They did not want to compete with existing food trucks in the area, and theming to crepes would be unique and something that a kosher cart could do and remain competitive. “If we did meat, it would be more expensive,” she said. Because the congregation is housed in the rabbi’s residence, there isn’t a commercial kitchen available, which is a requirement for food trucks. There aren’t many kosher kitchens in town to serve as the cart’s commissary, but Smokey said the Levite Jewish Community Center agreed to allow KI to use their kitchen to fill that role.
“Without the JCC, there would be no kosher food cart,” Smokey said. The Chanukah menu included sweet crepes, with Nutella; a Dulce de leche crepe with banana and strawberry; and a soft cheese crepe with December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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agenda strawberry and caramel dressing. Savory options include a veggie lovers, and a pizza crepe. “There’s no charge for smiles,” Lichtenstein said. The Chanukah menu also included latkes and doughnuts. Lichtenstein started the first glatt-kosher food truck in Brooklyn in 2007 after closing a sit-down restaurant in Monsey. He also headed the big kosher kitchen in Uman, in central Ukraine, 15 years ago. Every year around Rosh Hashanah, tens of thousands of Jews from Israel and around the world make a pilgrimage to the town, to visit the grave of Reb Nachman of Breslov, and there has to be kosher food available for all the visitors. He said a friend had recently mentioned that KI was looking for a chef to run a food truck, so he examined the opportunity, and the rest is history. “I really enjoy it” in Birmingham, he said. “The people are really very nice,” and services at KI “are beautiful.” Lichtenstein prepares Shabbat luncheons for after services, and every month to six weeks there is a Shabbat dinner that attracts at least 30 people. Aside from Bo’s Kosher Café, housed at the LJCC, the most recent attempt at a kosher restaurant in Birmingham was the short-lived Sababa, in 2012. The cart’s schedule will be on the Holy Crepe Facebook (KI_Crepe cart) and Instagram pages.
Son of Holocaust survivor meets daughter of his liberator Program to be held in Montgomery, New Orleans A conversation between an orthopedist and one of his patients in 2012 turned out to be life changing, and they will talk about it at two programs in the region in January. “Corresponding Angles” is the story of a survivor’s son and a liberator’s daughter, featuring Atlanta orthopedist Reuben Sloan and Gail Cohn. They will speak at the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama’s Annual Campaign event on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival’s Octagon Theatre. There will also be an in-person and online program at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans as an International Holocaust Remembrance Day event on Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. Cohn is the daughter of Judge Aaron Cohn, who was a liberator from the Columbus, Ga., area, and Sloan is the son of Holocaust survivor Itzik Slodowski. Sloan decided to emulate his mentor by getting to know his patients on a more personal level, and in 2012, Sloan was having a discussion with Cohn when they realized they had a much deeper relationship than doctor and patient. Judge Cohn had been part of General George S Patton’s 3rd Calvary Regiment, which had liberated the Mauthausen concentration camp— where Slodowski was imprisoned. Slodowski was the only member of his family to survive. Since then, they have traveled around the country sharing their story, and how both men were shaped by their experiences during World War II.
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agenda AHEC coordinating Taking Action Together lunch series In response to inquiries from community members since the events of Oct. 7, the Alabama Holocaust Education Center has created Taking Action Together, a series of virtual lunch programs that will take place in the coming months. Executive Director Lisa Bachman said the series is “designed to provide people with tools to help answer their questions about the rise in hate, misinformation in the media, propaganda, how to have difficult conversations and more.” Today’s events will be examined for common threads with 1930s Europe, from misinformation to intolerance. Speakers from around the world will discuss a range of topics related to the current situation, with a question and answer period at each session. The program is free, but registration is required, and the noon sessions will be recorded for those who can not make the live events. On Dec. 6, the series began with “Being Mentally Strong,” with Amy Morin and Collat Jewish Family Services Executive Director Lauren Schwartz. Morin is a psychotherapist and mental strength trainer, author of the international bestsellers “13 Things Mentally Strong People Don’t Do” and “13 Things Mentally Strong Women Don’t Do.” On Jan. 10, there will be a session with the News Literacy Project on “Exploring the Misinformation Landscape.” The Jan. 24 session, with a representative from Yad Vashem, will be in “The Twin Dangers of Silence and Indifference.” A panel including AL.com’s John Archibald, Ali Massoud and Leah Nelson will discuss “Interfaith Friendship: Building Bridges During Hard Times” on Feb. 7. Lauren Bairnsfather leads “Tree of Life: A Region Responds to Hate” on March 6, and on April 16 the News Literacy Project will lead a session on “What Does It Mean to Be News Literate?” Future programs will include Daryl Davis on “The Power of Conversation”; Honest Reporting on “Distinguishing Fact from Fiction” and “Becoming News Literate”; Echoes and Reflections on “Contemporary Antisemitism on Social Media” and “Power of Propaganda”; Jordan Kiper and Jonathan Wiesen on “Decoding Propaganda and Hate Speech”; and Yad Vashem on “Developing Resiliency in Children.” Partner organizations include the Birmingham Jewish Federation, Birmingham Jewish Foundation, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Alabama, Collat Jewish Family Services, the Jewish Community Relations Council, Levite Jewish Community Center, Temple Beth-El and Temple Emanu-El.
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BJF Annual Dinner set for Jan. 21 Sally Friedman honored for 40 years leading Foundation The Birmingham Jewish Federation and Foundation will have their annual meeting and dinner on Jan. 21 at 5 p.m., at Temple Beth-El. Sally Friedman will be honored for 40 years as head of the Foundation, and the 2024 board will be installed. The program also features the two agencies’ annual awards presentation. The Federation will present Sheri Krell with the Susan J. Goldberg Distinguished Volunteer Award, and Sarah Schaeffer will receive the Joanie Plous Bayer Young Leadership Award. The Foundation will present the N.E. Miles Lifetime Achievement Award to Adrienne and Julian Brook. Reservations are $18 and are requested by Jan. 4. For children ages 5 and above, there will be babysitting, movie and dinner in the Kidzone, $5 per child.
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The Jewish War Veterans Post in Birmingham will honor World War II veteran and centenarian Leonard Held at a program on Jan. 17 at 1:30 p.m. at the Levite Jewish Community Center. Dothan’s Temple Emanu-El will have a 95th anniversary celebration on Jan. 28 at 3 p.m. Or Hadash, the Humanistic Judaism group in Birmingham, will hold a discussion on Jan. 21 at 10:30 a.m., place to be announced. Barry Ivker will lead a discussion on Lilith and issues about feminism in Hebrew literature. The L’Chaim League in Montgomery will have State Rep. Phil Ensler as the guest speaker for its Jan. 24 luncheon, at 11:30 a.m. at The Vintage Oil in Peppertree Shopping Center. Lunch, provided by Tazikis, is $14. Beth Israel in Gulfport will dedicate a new Torah on Jan. 28. The dedication weekend for the new Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge building has been moved to March 22 and 23. There will be a musical Shabbat evening service, a Shabbat morning service with deli lunch, and a dedication party with Havdalah. Temple Emanu-El in Dothan will have a party in honor of its 95th birthday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m.
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Chabad of LSU and Baton Rouge, and the Sisterhood of Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge will hold Resin and Rose: A Taste of Shabbat, an evening to create floral resin candleholders. There will be a salad bar as part of the event, which will be on Jan. 28 at 4:30 p.m. at the Hilltop Arboretum. Reservations are $20 by Dec. 15, $25 after, and sponsorships are $36. Sea Shul on 30A will have its next Shabbat potluck event on Jan. 19 at 5 p.m., at Seaside Assembly Hall. The Jewish Federation of Central Alabama will participate in the Martin Luther King Jr. Day Parade in Montgomery, starting at 9 a.m. on Jan. 15.
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Birmingham’s Collat Jewish Family Services will hold its annual meeting on Jan. 10 at 5:30 p.m. at the N.E. Miles Jewish Day School. Toby Siegel will be honored as volunteer of the year, and there will also be recognition of Gail Schuster and Elaine Witt on their retirement.
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The next Honor Our Parents Shabbat at Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center will be on Jan. 26 at 11 a.m., led by Rabbi Yossi Friedman. The Men’s Club at Temple Beth Or in Montgomery will screen “Keeping the Faith” on Jan. 7 at 1 p.m., with a kosher hot dog lunch.
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A Spousal Loss Support Group coordinated by Collat Jewish Family Services in Birmingham will begin on Jan. 18 and run through March 21. The time is to be determined. Birmingham’s Levite Jewish Community Center will have a brunch and its annual meeting on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. The Turkey Train at the Unified Jewish Congregation of Baton Rouge donated 210 turkeys to St. Vincent de Paul on Nov. 12. Rabbi Sarah Smiley was among the participants in the 14th annual turkey carving contest.
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Fighting a different kind of war Consuls General speak out throughout region as war of public opinion rages during Gaza conflict When Hamas infiltrated and attacked Israel on Oct. 7, long before Israel could mount a counter-offensive to rid Gaza of Hamas, a different war broke out instantly — the war of public opinion. It took almost no time for anti-Israel groups to blame Israel for being attacked, and to call for a ceasefire before Israel fired a single shot. While still reeling from the Hamas massacre, Israeli representatives had to mobilize and present Israel’s story Consul General Livia Link-Raviv to the world — and in this region, speaks at the Jewish Federation that is led by Anat Sultan-Dadon, of Greater New Orleans’ the Consul General to the Southeast campaign celebration on Nov. 30 in Atlanta, and Livia Link-Raviv, the Consul General to the Southwest, based in Houston. Link-Raviv’s area includes Arkansas and Louisiana, while Sultan-Dadon has Alabama and Mississippi. Both have been traveling their respective territories, meeting with elected officials, community leaders, stakeholders “to discuss the ongoing conflict, to raise awareness and raise support,” Link-Raviv said. “I am encouraged by the response I have been receiving,” Recently, they spoke to two different types of groups — Link-Raviv to the Annual Campaign Celebration of the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans on Nov. 30, and Sultan-Dadon to a mostly non-Jewish audience at the Birmingham Kiwanis Club, said to be the largest Kiwanis in the world, on Dec. 5. Sultan-Dadon said “we are fighting a war here, and it is no less important, because the battle against the lies, the distortions, the denial of what occurred on Oct. 7, the distortion about what we are facing — these lies have to be dispelled, and this is the fight we are fighting here, in the battleground of public opinion.” Link-Raviv said “we all know what happened on Oct. 7, and yet it seems the world refuses to believe,” including a refusal to believe that Hamas’ goal was to maximize harm to Jewish civilians. “The United Natons shamefully did what it always does — blamed and demonized Israel, unlike any other nation on earth,” she said. Over the past few weeks, the Houston consulate hosted families of hostages, sharing their stories. After Oct. 7, Link said she didn’t think she could be shocked any further, “but after listening to the victims’ families’ stories, I once again found myself struck by the depravity of so-called human beings, their capability and what they can do.” One of the Israeli visitors, looking at the rows of posters of those abducted into Gaza, said he knew roughly one of every three people depicted, she said. “I was shaken to hear these people relive their trauma their trauma is our trauma, and the burden is heavy.” Yet, she spoke of the resilience of the Israeli spirit in spreading awareness. “It is emblematic of “our people’s capability to survive evil.” Link-Raviv added, “we will never surrender to this kind of hatred, and we refuse to lose our humanity in the process.”
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Making the Case A seasoned diplomat, Sultan-Dadon chooses her words carefully, often December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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community pausing to ponder a question before starting an answer. But these days, it is different. At the Kiwanis event, she would look down, in deep thought for several seconds, before speaking, often with a measured but firm voice, other times impassioned. The “orchestrated” Oct. 7 attack that killed 1,200 Israelis was an “invasion of 3,000 Hamas terrorists into Israel by land, by air, by sea,” she said, and it is one of the biggest tragedies for Israel since its founding in 1948. She said “we are fighting this war Hamas started. We know we have no other option but to win it.” With Chanukah approaching later that week, she said the holiday “reminds us, no matter how difficult the situation is… we will prevail and the light will prevail.” She said the Gaza conflict and other situations throughout the region “can all be traced back to the same source, which is the ayatollahs in Iran,” and Iran’s funding of these terror organizations “is a threat not only to the State of Israel, but the region and, basically, the free world.” John Saxon, a Kiwanis leader who conducted the lunchtime conversation with Sultan-Dadon, said “everyone in this room needs to understand the depravity that happened” on Oct. 7. A large crowd attended the lunch, and afterward some marveled at how one could have heard a pin drop through the entire presentation. Sultan-Dadon said “we are already facing denial and intentional misinformation about what happened,” despite footage that “actually comes from the terrorists themselves. Not only did they commit crimes against humanity, they took pride and joy in what they were committing. They even uploaded the footage to social media, to Hamas channels, but also to the victims’ social media.” That evening, the Atlanta consulate hosted a screening of a 47-minute video with raw footage of the atrocities. The footage has been shown around the world in closed screenings rather than the footage being released for wide use, out of respect for the victims’ families, but Israel feels a need to “ensure as many leaders as possible bear witness to the atrocities.” About 40 attended the Birmingham screening.
Consul General Anat Sultan-Dadon speaks with John Saxon at the Birmingham Kiwanis Club on Dec. 5. Not only is Israel dealing with denial of the atrocities, but silence from those who one would expect to speak out, such as “the silence of national organizations that are supposedly dedicated to women’s rights globally, supposedly dedicated to combatting violence against women globally,” but will not speak out against the rapes committed by Hamas on Oct. 7 and to hostages since then. “They are for women worldwide, they care, as long as it is not about Israeli women,” Sultan-Dadon charged. Israel has faced enormous criticism for what is seen as a humanitarian crisis in Gaza and the number of civilians who have been killed. Sultan-Dadon responded, “if we had not been so concerned about the civilian population in Gaza, this war would have been over in a matter of days. We would not be endangering our troops to minimize harm to civilians.” She said Israel has demonstrated “the greatest measures any army in the world has taken to minimize civilian casualties. Hamas does the opposite.”
Extensive original coverage at Southern Jewish Life online: sjlmag.com Due to space limitations in print… Here is a sampling of the articles available on our website, sjlmag.com
Birmingham Islamic Society issues Gaza statement, ignores Hamas terrorism Baptist church hosts interfaith Israel gathering in Mobile Dillard president among speakers at March For Israel in Washington Educator with project assisted by Alabama philanthropy murdered “A Jewish Hero”: Lone Soldier from Atlanta killed in Jerusalem by Hamas with her family attack Five fallen for Rosh Ha’Ayin, partner community to Birmingham, Southern states show support through large Israel Bonds New Orleans investments Large crowd attends community Israel gathering in New Orleans Florida takes lead as universities probe Students for Justice in Alabama flags at half-staff for victims of Hamas terror in Israel Palestine for support of terrorism Philos asking Christians to bring white roses to synagogues in Opinion pieces solidarity on Oct. 26 Global editorial: Jews worldwide haven’t been this fearful in living St. Louis area restaurant goes kosher for a day in Israel fundraiser memory Alabama-Israel Task Force urges churches to advocate for release of Using the term “genocide” regarding Gaza is a dangerous misuse of Israeli hostages the word Coalition of Christian groups urges churches to stand with Israel Stop equating antisemitism and Islamophobia in public and the Jewish community pronouncements Hamas attacks are personal for many in Deep South Jewish Reporter’s Notebook: Decrying “genocide” while making genocidal community calls for Israel’s destruction, at University of Alabama at Overflow crowd pack Levite Jewish Community Center in Birmingham event Birmingham for solidarity event Don’t turn away: Reflections on the war against Hamas terrorism Huntsville holds solidarity event outside museum Arieh O’Sullivan: Reflections on the Hamas attack: Returning to a Birmingham families launch campaign to assist their frontline changed Israel community near Gaza Arnie Fielkow: Time to come together and denounce evil 10
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
community She said that while “no one wants to see a humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip,” Hamas actually does. What has not been widely reported is when Hamas launched its attack on Israel, one of the first things Hamas did was to bomb the crossings into Gaza, “the crossings that were being used to provide goods into the Gaza Strip.” While there is a lot of discussion about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, she said it is “unimaginable” that there has been no discussion about the failure of the Red Cross to visit and check on any of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas. “Not one… They are not receiving any of what the international community is demanding that Israel provide, and we are providing,” and it should not be just Israel “losing sleep that we still have 138 hostages in the Gaza Strip.” There was a week-long pause to get humanitarian aid into Gaza and a negotiated swap of Israeli civilian hostages for Palestinian prisoners convicted of attacks against Israelis. “We were willing to continue to extend that humanitarian pause even though it is not in our interest from a military perspective,” as it gives Hamas time to regroup. The collapse came when Hamas “was not willing to provide any more lists of hostages… in order to allow for the extension,” she said. As for a ceasefire moving forward, “that is not and will not be on the table until we are sure that Hamas’ terror capabilities have been destroyed.” After all, the Hamas leadership “will conduct Oct. 7 again and again and again. Their end goal is the destruction of the State of Israel.” While Israel has always extended its hand to those in the region who want to choose peace, “there is no peace to be made with those who want to destroy us.” Israel will know that the task has been accomplished when its citizens can safely return to their communities near Gaza, which were emptied following the Oct. 7 attacks. Over 200,000 Israelis have temporarily been relocated elsewhere in the country. As for being in Gaza long-term, “we have no interest in staying… we evacuated the Gaza Strip for a reason.” But “anyone who cares for the Palestinian people should be calling for the destruction of Hamas.” Sultan-Dadon said the international community will “no doubt” have a role to play in Gaza “the day after.” Hamas will not be allowed to continue, and she added that the Palestinian Authority is not going to be able to take over Gaza, either. The PA is “still a body that, even as we speak, continues to pay for slay, continues to pay family members of convicted terrorists, on a scale. The more Israelis they murder, the higher the payments they get. This they get from aid funds from the international community.” The PA would have to be completely overhauled, or different Palestinian leadership “dedicated to building their people rather than destroying the State of Israel” would need to emerge. The bottom line is that there will be no peace “if they continue to teach their children to kill Jews,” as is taught in United Nations-run schools and summer camps. The diplomats also addressed the rise of antisemitism, how “in broad daylight” on college campuses “we see calls for the destruction of the State of Israel, calls for the murder of Jews, and they are accepted,” Sultan-Dadon said. Link-Raviv said “Whenever Israel is engaged in self defense, we see a spike of antisemitism across the world. This time has been no different, yet the scale of the attack on the diaspora community is like never before.” Last month, Link-Raviv met the students at Tulane who were involved in the violent attack by pro-Palestinian protestors at an Oct. 26 rally. “They expressed the shock, fear and concern that many Jewish students feel right now.” She said it is evident that what is happening in Israel now is also being faced by Jewish communities around the world. “If God forbid we fail to stop terrorism in Gaza, they will be knocking
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community on the doors of America and Europe, as they have done before,” she said. While some activists insist that the call for freeing “from the river to the sea” isn’t genocidal, Sultan-Dadon noted that they are referencing the entirety of Israel in that chant, and the chant is calling for the destruction of Israel. “They are not about being pro-Palestinian, they are about being anti-Israel.” The world is mainly silent as “we are seeing Jewish students who are afraid to go to class. They see campuses that speak so highly of tolerance and its spaces for everyone. There is no safe space for the Jewish student,” and university administrations are not taking strong stands. There has been silence from “faith leadership, clergy, politicians, university presidents, leaders who should know better… when this is happening, they do not have the moral spine to speak out and draw a line.” Sultan-Dadon said that rather than ponder what they would have done in the 1940s, people need to ask themselves what they are doing now. “How can I, using my voice, stand for what is right, to stand for the morals I believe in. If we do not believe in terror, death and destruction, there is only one place for you to stand right now.” She said Israel is blessed to have the support of the United States “in word and in deed,” and many friends and partners in the Southeast, “and we hope to see more.”
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After Oct. 7, the Jewish Federations of North America launched an emergency Israel campaign to raise a staggering $500 million. The campaign has already exceeded $700 million, with each community taking a “fair share” goal. Link-Raviv told the Federation gathering in New Orleans that “You did an incredible job.” After Oct. 7, she said, “Israeli society will never be the same, and we will be carrying this trauma for decades to come. The healing process must begin… and American Jewry can play and is playing a very significant role in this healing process.” To further help Israel, she urged everyone to keep contacting elected officials and speak about it to friends and acquaintances, “and keep this war on top of their minds… your voice matters. Do not allow others to hijack the truth and control the narrative.” Sultan-Dadon said she does not believe the people of Gaza want to live in a state of war. “It is a common interest of all of us, including the people of Gaza, to rid the world of Hamas.” She said that if the Palestinian leaders “truly care for their people, they will have to tell their people the truth. There will not be self-determination for the Palestinians at the cost of the elimination of the State of Israel.” Sultan-Dadon concluded, “We are a nation in mourning, we are a nation in trauma. But we are a nation determined to win this war. We did not choose this war, but we have no other option but to win it.”
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
Governors Greg Abbott of Texas and J. Kevin Stitt of Oklahoma visited Israel in early November.
community Area congregations affected by national rash of bomb threats The weekend of Dec. 15 saw an acceleration of bomb threats at synagogues and Jewish institutions across the country, including in the Deep South. The Secure Communities Network, which is the umbrella security agency for Jewish communities nationally and has representatives in Birmingham and New Orleans, counted 199 threats in a 24-hour period on Dec. 16, in at least 17 states. By the end of the weekend, the number of incidents was over 400, in 30 states. None of the threats were seen as credible. According to ABC News, the Federal Bureau of Investigations says that the email threats are connected, and are originating from outside the United States. Over 30 of the 56 field offices are investigating the threats. Oren Segal, Vice President of the Center on Extremism at the Anti-Defamation League, told CNN that while the threats were deemed hoaxes, “we don’t have the luxury to ignore them.” Many congregations in the region had also received bomb threats shortly after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel. In a couple of cases, the threats were found some time later in a spam folder. In Central Alabama, six of the seven Jewish institutions received threats on Dec. 16. Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem in Montgomery evacuated the building in the middle of Shabbat services. Phil Ensler, executive director of the Jewish Federation of Central Alabama and a newly-elected state legislator, posted video of everyone being told to leave in the middle of the Torah service. After the building was cleared by law enforcement, they returned to finish the service. “This is exhausting,” Ensler tweeted. “I pray for the day that we can worship and live in peace.” Local police checked facilities in Auburn, Montgomery, Dothan and Selma. The only organization that did not receive a threat was Auburn Hillel, which does not have a physical location. At Beth Israel in Jackson, the semi-annual congregational meeting on Dec. 17 was held on Zoom “due to events that occurred at the Temple this morning,” according to an email that went out a couple of hours before the meeting was to begin. The congregation, which also houses the offices of the Goldring/Woldenberg Institute of Southern Jewish Life, received an emailed bomb threat. Beth Israel cancelled religious school, was told by the FBI that the threat was seen as not
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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community credible, and local law enforcement did its bomb threat protocol. On Dec. 14, bomb threats were investigated at synagogues in Tupelo and Columbus. Tallahassee, Savannah and Nashville also had threats. On Nov. 30, Mountain Brook Police responded to what turned out to be a “swatting” call against Bais Ariel Chabad. A caller to a national suicide hotline reported an active shooter situation at Chabad, which was a hoax intended to prompt a large-scale law enforcement response to an unsuspecting victim. Swatting calls against Jewish institutions have also seen a dramatic rise this year. The incidents extended outside the Jewish community, as Baldwin County, Ala., police reported visiting a “messianic” congregation in Daphne following a threat there on Dec. 16. Most synagogues have security guards or off-duty police officers every time the doors open, leading to large financial outlays. Some congregations in the region have instituted surcharges from $100 to $300 per member family to cover the added costs.
Nola native presents debut novel
Happy Chanukah MAY YOUR CANDLES BURN BRIGHT THIS SEASON
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
New Orleans native Corie Adjmi will share her debut novel, “The Marriage Box,” at a Jan 10 program at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans. There will be a Zoom option for those unable to attend in person. After growing up in a Reform community in New Orleans, she moved as a teen to an Orthodox Syrian neighborhood in Brooklyn. That transition inspired the novel, which follows Casey Cohen on that journey at age 16, as she goes from being a cheerleader in the wrong crowd to an insular world of Shabbat dinners, religious school and marriage prospects. The Marriage Box is a pool deck where teen girls put themselves on display for potential husbands. Cohen winds up marrying at age 18, only to find that her husband doesn’t want her to go to college, but start having children instead. In 2020, she released “Life and Other Shortcomings, a collection of linked short stories going from New Orleans to New York and Madrid, from 1970 to the present day. The women in the 12 stories portray a wide range in the female experience. At the 6:30 p.m. program, she will discuss growing up Southern, the culture shock she encountered in moving to New York, and how she has found her own sense of Jewish meaning. Registration for the free in-person program and the Zoom are at msje.org. The book is also available at the museum’s store.
community >> Editor
continued from page 4
neverending source of amusement for Hamas. Iran, Hamas’ main backer, is perfectly willing to fight Israel to the last… Palestinian.
Record low Remember too, the number of dead in Gaza reported by Hamas’ Ministry of Health (which surely is objective!) doesn’t separate out fighters from civilians. The best estimates are that there’s a 2:1 civilian to fighter death ratio — which is incredibly low in warfare. Also, Hamas fighters aren’t in uniform — they dress like civilians, which is also against the rules of war. And they have recruited teens, 15- and 16-years old, and trained them as soldiers. Then, they can turn around and cry about Israel “killing children.” Israel is accused of “carpet bombing” or “indiscriminate bombing” of Gaza, another libel. Currently making the rounds is a comparison of civilian deaths per airstrike in recent wars. Over the last couple decades worldwide, the figure is around 4.5 deaths per airstrike. In Aleppo, Syria, in 2016, it was 21. In Mosul, Iraq, in 2017, it was 17. In Gaza? 0.8. And that’s using the Hamas figure that includes enemy combatants, not just civilians. The world sets an impossibly high bar for Israel to meet, then when Israel far out-performs the rest of the world, it is castigated for not doing even better. Meanwhile, Israel is accused of committing a “genocide” in Gaza, a charge that is ridiculous by any definition of genocide. It’s even more insulting when reflecting on how Hamas, in its charter, calls for a genocide of Jews, and proclaimed Oct. 7 as the first step toward that goal. And it isn’t a morality contest based on how many are killed. If that were the case, Britain would have been the bad guy in World War II and Germany would be the righteous aggrieved party.
“Pro”-Palestinian Another insult is how the sides of this conflict are being framed. Generally, these virulently anti-Israel groups are presented in the media as being simply “pro-Palestinian.” When Florida looked to shut down some of the extreme groups on campus, it was framed as silencing groups that speak up for Palestinians. There are two major problems with that. First, it makes it sound like anyone who supports Israel is against the Palestinians, and who can look at the images from Gaza without feeling some shred of humanity? Second, nobody thinks there is a problem in expressing concern for the Palestinians in Gaza. You’ll heard such concern at pretty much any Israel solidarity rally. You won’t hear any concern about Israeli victims of Oct. 7 at the pro-Gaza rallies. The problem comes when the anti-Israel rallies devolve into calls for the elimination of Israel, excuse the atrocities of Oct. 7, and call for support of Hamas with the desire that they can accomplish their goal of further Oct. 7s. That’s a bit more than “pro-Palestinian.” But it also plays into a martyr complex, the charge that “pro-Palestinian voices are being silenced,” which we keep hearing, loudly and repeatedly. The true pro-Palestinian voices are the ones calling for the elimination of Hamas, for finding some future for the Palestinians that doesn’t involve being robbed blind by their billionaire leaders holed up in Qatar, or their brother kleptocrats in the Palestinian Authority. Leaders who can turn Gaza into what it could be — a tourism haven with a well-educated work force, a prosperous partner for the Start-Up Nation next door. But nah, they and their “pro-Palestinian” activists would rather tilt at the windmill of making Israel disappear, and stay in misery until that
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community (never) happens. (Why else are there still Palestinian refugee camps in areas that the Palestinians have governed for 30 years?) Among the “pro-Palestinian” voices are activist groups claiming to speak in the name of the Jewish community (or that the Jewish community “doesn’t speak in my name”). The far-left fringe Jewish Voice for Peace and its Mini-Me, IfNotNow, have been quite vocal, and most media are all too happy to give air time to the small group that bucks the mainstream community. Detractors say those groups are self-hating Jews (though there are many non-Jews in their ranks, including a leading Palestinian activist), but really, they are more self-smug Jews who fancy themselves on a higher moral plane than the warmongers in the mainstream Jewish community. They also cling to the belief that Israel is in the wrong, and if Israel will just stop defending itself, all will be well. The idea that there are those out there who want to destroy the Jewish people is dismissed as “trauma” from a faulty reading of our history. So they call for ceasefires that will only lead to Hamas being strengthened, and will result in yet another war down the road. In the name of standing up for peace, they provide comfort to those who seek war against us. If not now? What about the previous verse, if I am not for myself who will be for me? (And yes, it speaks of not being only for myself, reference the above comments about the sanctity of all people). Who will be for me? Not the women’s groups who tell us to believe women and who condemn rape — unless you’re an Israeli, thus the deafening silence from those hypocrites. Not the Red Cross, which refuses to do what it does everywhere else and demand to see the Israelis taken hostage. Not the humanitarian groups who say Israel is entirely to blame for the situation in Gaza, ignoring that Hamas started the war and hijacks humanitarian aid coming into the strip, or that it spent two decades building up for war with Israel without making any plans for how to assist their civilians during the inevitable conflict, and that Egypt has no intention of allowing Gaza refugees into its territory, a stance echoed by every one of the Gazans’ brethren throughout the Arab world. Not universities where speech has previously been considered violence and “microaggressions” are policed rigorously — unless it’s against Jews. For the world, dead Jews don’t count. For Hamas, dead Gazans are useful propaganda points. And the media lap it up. The number of howlers recently is mind-boggling. One of the most perverse came from Sky News, where the anchor pressed an Israeli diplomat on the hostage releases. She actually asserted that Israel giving up three Palestinian prisoners for each Israeli hostage is a demonstration of how Israel devalues Palestinian life. Talk about an insult.
Moving forward The best thing that could happen is Israel ignores the world and pushes through to victory. A Hamas surrender. A new form of leadership in Gaza — whether international oversight, pragmatic locals or some other group that is willing to see the area demilitarized and developed into a proper territory, and then perhaps a country. The schools would have to be purged of the outright Jew-hate that pervades the curriculum of the United Nations schools, funded by Western taxpayers. Israel has no interest in being in Gaza for any longer than necessary. But Gaza can not be allowed to be a terror base any longer, and a message must be sent to Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houtis in Yemen and their Iranian overlords. And a message must be sent to the world — we will survive and thrive, no matter what you Lawrence Brook, Publisher/Editor think.
Help The Hebrew University Community Serve Israel Through the ‘We Are One’ Fund The October 7th Hamas terrorist attack has threatened the State of Israel’s future like nothing before. Nevertheless, the country, its students, soldiers, and citizens have united amidst unimaginable tragedy. While Israel focuses on the immediate battle of protecting its borders and rooting out the Hamas threat, its people face both Hebrew University students volunteer to prep food short and long-term struggles. A massive and far-reaching effort looms in keeping the country moving forward and addressing Beyond Fundraising: Volunteering Where Needed the myriad economic, medical, and academic needs. The Hebrew University of Jerusalem community — its students, professors, staff, and families — are suffering. Some have lost relatives who were murdered in the attacks. Others continue to endure endless days worried about the status of kidnapped family members and friends. Students and faculty are once again soldiers, having been called up to serve, suspending their academic pursuits, research, and jeopardizing their financial security. Just in the Hebrew University’s Faculty of Law, alone, an estimated 40% of students have been called to active military duty.
Hebrew University volunteers are addressing urgent needs in their surrounding communities as well. Faculty of Medicine students are volunteering in Israeli hospitals struggling with staff shortages due to the war. The University is also working with the Jerusalem Municipality to establish a school and kindergarten for children evacuated from their homes in Sderot in southern Israel. In addition, some of the half million displaced people from the North and the Gaza border regions are being housed in Hebrew University dormitories.
In the face of dire need, Hebrew University has launched the We Are One fundraising campaign to provide aid and support to the 28,000 students, faculty, and staff impacted by the war.
In its role as Israel’s premier university and academic research institution, Hebrew University will continue to address the devastating impact of this terror attack, and its toll on human and financial suffering, just as it has faced adversity throughout Israel’s history.
“The Hebrew University’s American friends will do everything we can to support our community members during the war and its aftermath, which we hope will bring lasting peace,” says Joshua Rednik, chief executive officer, American Friends of the Hebrew University. “Every dollar raised goes to mitigating significant, critical needs to ensure safety, security, and continued educational excellence on campus once the academic year begins.”
Significant We Are One funding priorities include:
Scholarships and Academic Assistance for Soldiers Called to Duty Thousands of students who have been called to military service will incur academic and financial losses while risking their lives. We Are One will provide scholarships and financial aid for students and staff serving in the military. Once the school year begins, Hebrew University will also continue to provide financial and emotional support, and academic assistance for students, staff, and faculty serving in the reserves. Relocation and Shelter Hebrew University is assessing how best to help employees and students who have had to evacuate their homes. Many have lost all their possessions while facing the trauma of kidnapped, injured, and/or deceased loved ones. Campus Security The current conflict brings with it increased security needs on all campuses, including equipping guards with bulletproof vests and helmets, increased first aid supplies, and other security mobilization equipment. Counseling Services The University is providing counseling for anyone in the community who is coping with severe trauma, grief, and loss. This includes assistance for families of hostages and other missing people.
As the war continues to demand time, resources, and attention, Hebrew University, across its six campuses, must also continue doing what it does best: pursuing extraordinary innovation, developing transformational technologies, and delivering educational excellence to solve some of the world’s most urgent challenges. When the immediate crisis subsides, the University will once again provide an academic home for a full cadre of students, researchers, and faculty. In the meantime, the HU community is supporting each other, providing critical medical resources, helping farmers harvest their crops to prevent food shortages, and looking after the families left behind as Israel’s soldiers heed the call for security. “These tragic times remind us of the human cost of war and the true blessings of family and friends,” says Hebrew University President Prof. Asher Cohen. “As we mourn those we have lost and persevere through difficult days ahead, we find comfort in community and strength in solidarity. We hold onto hope — hope for the safe return of hostages and faith in our nation’s resilience. Hebrew University is grateful for the support.”
To make a tax-deductible contribution to the We Are One Fund, go to www.afhu.org/wr1 or mail a check payable to American Friends of the Hebrew University PO Box 98212 Washington, DC 20090 December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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community Frankfurt. London. Manchester. 1800. the dawn of the
The House of the Red Shield: A novel by Lizzi wolf Follows two generations of a family from the Frankfurt shtetl, swept up in cataclysmic changes brought about by the Haskalah that shook the rabbinical establishment to its core and questioned the very idea of what it means to be Jewish.
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
Alabama, Texas get top marks from StopAntisemitism campus report Watchdog group StopAntisemitism released its annual Antisemitism on U.S. College and University Campuses Report on Dec. 6, using a report card-style grading system to assess 25 different colleges across the United States on their previous and current efforts to address campus antisemitism and protect their Jewish students. This year, the University of Alabama was among those evaluated, and ‘Bama passed with flying colors. Other schools in the region were not as fortunate. The report was originally slated to be released on Oct. 9, but due to the Hamas attacks of Oct. 7, the group waited to see what the schools’ responses to antisemitic incidents would be after the massacre, highlighting specific incidents and re-grading some schools. According to the report, “Some ignored the situation and some created an actively hostile environment for Jewish students via inaction or malfeasance… if it were possible to give certain institutions a grade lower than an ‘F,’ we would.” “Rising campus antisemitism has been supercharged by the recent Israel-Hamas conflict,” said StopAntisemitism Executive Director, Liora Rez. “This Report Card will help guide Jewish parents in assessing where it’s safe to send their children — a new and frightening consideration that would’ve been unthinkable just a few years ago. Armed with this information, it’s on all of us to hold colleges accountable for recognizing, calling out, and protecting their students from antisemitism.” The 25 schools were selected and classified into five categories, with five per category: Ivy League and Ivy Adjacent, Liberal Arts, Private universities, and Public universities, east and west. The grades were determined through four categories. Protection references how the school reports and responds to antisemitic incidents, and the willingness to work with Jewish groups when incidents occur. Allyship is about whether the college speaks out against antisemitism and includes Jews in DEI policies and training. Identity is whether Jews feel safe on campus as Jews, and whether they feel they are being personally held accountable for Israel’s actions. Policy includes adopting the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism — which none of this year’s 25 universities has done — the adoption of anti-Israel BDS resolutions or the active presence of groups like Students for Justice in Palestine. This year, seven schools scored an A, while five — Brown, Cornell, Pomona College, Vermont and Chicago — received an F. Alabama and Texas each received an A, while Rice received a C, and Duke and Vanderbilt received a D. Last year, Tulane was one of only two universities to receive an A, along with Brandeis. North Carolina received a B, while Florida and Virginia received a C. Seven schools received an F — Yale, Columbia, Swarthmore, California-Berkeley, City University of New York-Brooklyn, New York University and Southern California. The report on Alabama noted that students feel supported by the university, do not feel the need to hide their identity on campus, antisemitism is part of DEI training, there are Jewish affinity groups on campus, and no BDS resolutions have been presented. Though the study was about the main campus in Tuscaloosa, the presence of SJP at the University of Alabama at Birmingham was noted. Texas had similar results, though they have a Palestine Solidarity Committee on campus, and sometimes students report not feeling safe showing support for Israel on campus. At Rice, the students do not feel supported in combating antisemitism, and antisemitism is not included in DEI training. There is an SJP presence, but no notable incidents after Oct. 7. While Rice students say they
community do not need to hide their Jewish identity, they do not feel safe expressing support for Israel. In September, Rice Pride cut ties with Hillel, stating that Zionism can not coexist with queerness. The administration did not comment. At Vanderbilt, students do not feel supported, antisemitism is not included in DEI training, and there is an SJP-like club, Dores for Solidarity with Palestine. No BDS resolutions have been presented lately, and there have been no major incidents since Oct. 7. However, students report feeling the need to hide their Jewish identity and do not feel safe expressing support for Israel. The report recounted a November 2022 incident where an assistant football coach defended the antisemitic statements of Kanye West. The coach was suspended for the rest of the 2022 season. At Duke, which has seen a series of anti-Israel events along with the University of North Carolina, students report not feeling supported, stated they need to hide their Jewish identity on campus and do not feel safe showing support for Israel. Antisemitism is incorporated into DEI training. A BDS resolution was recently presented and passed, and there is an SJP presence on campus. In revisiting last year’s scorecard, the organization called out Pennsylvania (which received an A- last year), CUNY, Yale and George Washington for particularly egregious antisemitic incidents. North Carolina was mentioned for “a number of antisemitic incidents,” including an assault on a professor. The University of Michigan’s administration “has done a good job” in responding to recent incidents, but the report notes that “its student body and faculty are out of control.” The Oct. 26 “unsanctioned and unapproved anti-Israel rally next to Tulane’s campus was mentioned, along with the assault on Jewish students by pro-Palestinian protestors, but Tulane President Michael Fitts was praised “for being openly supportive of Israel and condemning Hamas,” and for his response to the rally. Students were also surveyed about the atmosphere on campus. Seventy-nine percent of students said they had experienced some form of antisemitism at their school, up from 55 percent last year. Additionally, 32 percent did not report the antisemitic incidents. A majority, 61 percent, feel the need to hide their Jewish identity on campus, and 72 percent feel unwelcome as a Jewish person. Also, 68 percent said their school’s administration does not take acts of antisemitism seriously. The student survey was conducted before Oct. 7, and the organization “strongly feels” that these percentages would increase dramatically had it sent out the survey following the attacks.
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Artist dies in stabbing at La. Tech
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Annie Weinstein Richardson, one of the four women stabbed in an attack at Louisiana Tech in Ruston on Nov. 13, died the next evening. Richardson was walking with three friends outside Lambright Sports and Wellness Center, the campus recreation facility, when they were attacked shortly after 9 a.m. Jacoby Johnson, 23, a senior, was apprehended by campus police minutes later behind the baseball field. Richardson was a member of Monroe’s B’nai Israel. In an email informing fellow members about the attack, it was stated that this was seen as a random incident, and as none of the others involved were Jewish and there apparently was no indication of motivation at the scene, it is not being regarded as an anti-Jewish hate crime. Johnson has been booked into the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. He had been charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, but now a charge of second-degree murder has been added. He is being held at the Lincoln Parish Detention Center. Woodard and Richardson had just left an exercise class, and witnesses said Richardson’s throat was slashed. The Ruston Daily Leader said the other three were retired Lincoln Parish Judge Cynthia Woodard, Tech grad student Dominique McKane and retired teacher Debbie Hollimon. Woodard and McKane were taken to a Shreveport hospital, while Hollimon refused treatment at the scene. KTBS reported that freshman Colin Campbell heard screams and rushed to the scene, transporting Richardson and Woodard to the hospital. “My prayers are with Annie’s husband Peter, the entire Richardson family, and all who called Annie a friend,” President Les Guice said. “Our Tech family will feel the pain of this incident for some time, but we are fortunate to have such a caring community to rely upon as we grieve together.” Louisiana Tech Police Chief said the attacks seemed to be random, “victims of opportunity,” and that the suspect apparently had mental health issues. The Leader reported that he had been inside the building and apparently had brandished a knife at a student playing basketball. The Black Student Union was holding a prayer vigil on Nov. 14, and a campus blood drive was held on Nov. 16. Richardson was an artist focusing on mixed media and collage, with works that have been widely exhibited throughout the state and region. She studied at Newcomb in New Orleans and Sarah Lawrence College of Art in France before finishing at the University of Colorado in Boulder.
community
Two new exhibits detail the Rosenwald Schools story Two exhibits focusing on the partnership between a Black academic and a Jewish philanthropist to expand educational opportunities for Southern Blacks a century ago are on display in the region. “A Better Life for Their Children: Julius Rosenwald, Booker T. Washington, and the 4,978 Schools that Changed America” opened on Nov. 16 at the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience in New Orleans, and “History Lives On: Preserving Alabama’s Rosenwald Schools” is already on display at the Alabama Department of Archives and History in Montgomery. Rosenwald, president of Sears, contributed to Black institutions in Chicago. In 1911, he and his rabbi traveled to Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, which Washington had founded. Washington asked Rosenwald to serve on the school’s board. In 1912, Rosenwald made numerous charitable gifts in honor of his 50th birthday, including $25,000 to Tuskegee. Toward the end of the year, Washington asked Rosenwald for permission to use $2800 on a pilot program to build schools for rural Blacks. A grant of $300 each went to help build six schools in central Alabama — Notasulga and Brownsville in Macon County, Loachapoka and Chewacla in Lee County, and Big Zion and Madison Park in Montgomery County. Every Rosenwald school was built with matching funds from the local community, and black communities rallied to raise the funds needed to become part of the project. In many cases, the white community also chipped in.
Andrew Feiler/The Filson Historical Society
Students and teachers at Jefferson Jacob School, in Prospect, Ky., circa 1920s. In 1914, Rosenwald gave an additional $30,000 for another 100 rural Alabama schools, followed by funds for 200 more schools in 1916, opening the project to other states. Rosenwald organized the Julius Rosenwald Fund in 1917 to administer
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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the program. He was of the opinion that a foundation should have set goals and a timetable for disbursing all of its assets and go out of business, since one never knows what the long-term future needs in society would be. By the time the fund ended in 1932, about 5,000 schools had been built throughout the South. Forty percent of Black children in the South attended a Rosenwald school at the height of the program. Black communities and white supporters advocated for educational opportunities, raised funds, and maintained the schools for decades. Among the thousands of graduates of Rosenwald schools are poet Maya Angelou, civil rights leader Medgar Evers, Little Rock Nine pioneer Carlotta Walls LaNier, and Congressman John Lewis. By the time of widespread school integration in the 1960s, many of Rosenwald Schools were deemed too small or otherwise unsuitable for continued use. While some of these schools today have found new life as community centers, museums, and church facilities, most have disappeared from the landscape or are under threat of deterioration and destruction. The New Orleans exhibit consists of photographs and stories collected by Andrew Feiler, a fifth-generation Jewish Georgian. Feiler tracked down and photographed more than 100 of the 500 schools still surviving across 15 Southern states. Feiler believes the story of the Rosenwald schools is particularly resonant now. “In deeply segregated 1912 America, Julius Rosenwald and Booker T. Washington reached across divides of race, religions, and region and fundamentally changed this nation for the better,” he said. “It’s especially fitting that these photographs and stories that bring people into this history are being hosted by the Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience.” Through Feiler’s exhibition, the Museum hopes to raise awareness of a chapter of history that is still not widely known. “MSJE is proud to be part of bringing this story in front of the public eye. The history of the Rosenwald schools is also the history of the South and the many diverse people and actors who have shaped it,” says Kenneth Hoffman, the museum’s executive director. The exhibit opened on Nov. 16 with a program and book signing featuring Feiler. MSJE will run a full program of events centered around the exhibit, including the opening reception talk by Feiler; screenings of “Rosenwald,” a documentary film produced by Aviva Kempner, on Jan. 18, Feb. 28 and April 4 at 6 p.m., and a matinee on March 10; a lecture by Stephanie Deutsch, author of “You Need a Schoolhouse” on March 7 at 6 p.m.; and a panel discussion with Rosenwald School graduates, date to be announced. A bespoke field trip has been designed to introduce students to this important part of American history. This exhibition is supported by Bill and Susan Hess and the Cahn Family Foundation. Bill Hess is Rosenwald’s great-grandson. The Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities (LEH) is a media partner. The exhibit will run through April 21.
community
On Oct. 21, the River Road African American Museum in Donaldsonville, La., celebrated the restoration of one of the state’s few remaining Rosenwald School buildings. The Central Agricultural School was located in the Romeville community of Convent, and was slated for demolition in 2001, but Museum co-founder Kathe Hambrick acquired it and had it moved across the river to Donaldsonville. In 2020, Shell Oil, which has a refinery in Convent, made a $300,000 grant to help finish the restoration.
Alabama exhibit The Alabama exhibit is the culmination of a research project entitled “Realizing Rosenwald.” This multiphase project began in 2020 as an interdisciplinary collaboration with Auburn University Professors Junshan Liu, Building Science; David Smith, Graphic Design; and Gorham Bird, Architecture. The research focuses on the identification and documentation of extant Rosenwald Schools in Alabama using the latest technology to digitally measure and survey the existing places. In addition to the team at Auburn, Dr. Kwesi Daniels, architecture professor at Tuskegee University, served as a key collaborator for the exhibit design, building on a 20-year partnership between Auburn and Tuskegee to preserve Alabama’s remaining Rosenwald Schools. Many of the artifacts featured in the exhibit are on loan from the Mt. Sinai Community Center, housed in the only remaining Rosenwald School in Autauga County. Visitors to the exhibit will learn not only about the individuals who started the Rosenwald Schools and the buildings themselves, but also about local communities across Alabama who worked to raise funds and to build and sustain these schools over generations. The exhibit will also explore today’s efforts by community members and alumni to preserve Alabama’s remaining historic Rosenwald buildings and the rich legacies they represent. “We hope the public will gain a better understanding of the resilience and self-determination of the communities that worked to build and maintain these schools to educate generations of children,” said Gorham Bird, assistant professor of architecture and lead exhibit designer. “It’s been a privilege to meet and learn about the experience of alumni, to see their ongoing commitment to preserving the history of Alabama’s Rosenwald schools, and to share their stories through our research and this exhibit.” Archives Director Steve Murray said “the Archives is grateful for this opportunity to work with Auburn University in amplifying the stories of Alabamians who collaborated in the early 20th century to expand educational opportunities for African Americans, and of those who are striving today to keep alive the legacies of these vital community institutions.” The exhibit opened on Oct. 17 and will be displayed through May. December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Standing with Israel? Take a bow Blue and white bows are popping up on mailboxes in the Birmingham suburbs as a small showing of solidarity has greatly exceeded expectations. Mountain Brook residents Rachel Mazer and Emily Ulmer Feinstein had traveled to Israel together last year, and after the Oct. 7 attack, many friends and neighbors said they were “unsure how to communicate their feelings,” and asked them how to show support for Israel and their Jewish neighbors. The two women approached Smiths Variety Shop, which has coordinated numerous mailbox bow campaigns for various causes over the years, including blue and white solidarity bows during a rash of bomb threats to Jewish institutions in 2017. They ordered 50 bows and posted on a local Facebook board that they are available for an $18 donation to the Birmingham Jewish Federation’s Israel Emergency Fund. Within 48 hours, Feinstein said, there were 375 donations. The response was so overwhelming, they had to recruit volunteers to put together smaller bows, and have a table at the Levite Jewish Community Center for people to pick up the bows. After a week, the tally stood at 600 orders. Feinstein said that the Smith’s bows are double in size, and some people definitely prefer theirs, but the smaller ones were done as a way to fill the demand for those who weren’t concerned about which bow they would get. “Smith’s has been an amazing partner… and were very proud to sup-
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
port this project” she said. Feinstein said other communities are looking to replicate the project and have asked them for the promotional materials — and it is becoming increasingly difficult to find supplies of blue and white ribbon online. After a couple days of distribution at the LJCC, pickup for the bows has reverted to Smith’s, and an increasing number of mailboxes over the mountain are now sporting the bows.
Want a Nobel?
Historic prize given to Jewish scientist for penicillin available at M.S. Rau The beginning of October was Nobel Prize season, as the year’s winners were announced in Oslo. For those who weren’t named this year, there is now a rare opportunity to get a Nobel Prize, at M.S. Rau in New Orleans. The high-end antiques and fine art store recently acquired the 1945 Nobel Prize in Medicine presented to Ernst Chain, one of the three honorees that year for the discovery and development of penicillin. “Nobel prizes do not come up” on the market, M.S. Rau CEO Bill Rau said. “The great majority of people… it would descend through their family as a badge of honor,” as it is “the most prestigious prize in the world.” Nevertheless, he heard “through the Jewish geography grapevine” that this prize might be for sale, and he had a friend in England approach the family. “It took some time to get it done,” Rau said. After the five or six weeks to close the deal, he then had to wait a few weeks to get an export license from the British government, a mandatory step for taking anything over a certain price out of England. While Rau has owned many amazing items over the years, Chain’s Nobel is “one of the coolest things we have ever owned,” he said. “Penicillin is arguably the most important drug that has ever been found.” It has saved hundreds of millions of lives, and Rau said that if it did not exist, the average human lifespan would be 10 years shorter. “How many people would have died of strep throat or pneumonia?” The 1945 prize was presented to Chain, along with Alexander Fleming, who first discovered penicillin, and Howard Florey, Chain’s research partner. Nobels are awarded to as many as three individuals who contributed to an endeavor. The physical prize is a 23-karat gold medal weighing almost 8 ounces. It is accompanied by a fitted box and a hand-illustrated Nobel diploma, signed by the entire Nobel Institute. Chain’s original typewritten acceptance speech is also included. In 1945, the cash prize was around 121,000 Swedish kroner; the 2023 prizes were SEK 11 million, approximately $1 million. Chain was born in Berlin in 1906. His father was a chemist and industrialist, and Chain became interested in chemistry during visits to his father’s laboratory. His father died when Chain was 13 years old. He graduated from Friedrich-Wilheim University in Berlin in 1930, and worked for three years at Berlin’s Charite Hospital in enzyme research. When the Nazis came to power in 1933, he knew he would not be safe there as a Jew, and moved to England with about 10 British Pounds in his pocket. His mother and sister stayed behind, and were ultimately murdered in a concentration camp. In England, Chain worked at University College Hospital, then moved December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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to the School of Biochemistry in Cambridge, where he finished his doctorate. In 1935, he started at the Sir William Dunn School of Pathology, working with Howard Florey, with whom he would eventually share the Nobel Prize. Florey suggested that Chain work on lysozyme, which had been identified by Alexander Fleming in 1920. During that work, he came across Fleming’s paper on penicillin, and how Fleming had tried but failed to purify penicillin. In 1928, Fleming had been studying staphylo- Ernst Chain coccus bacteria, and later said that if he had been neat, he never would have discovered penicillin. He had left samples out overnight, and one of the cultures was contaminated with mold — which cleared out a zone where the bacteria would not grow. He realized something in the mold was killing the bacteria, and isolated it. But he didn’t know what to do with it, or how to grow it so it could be of further use. Florey and Chain started working on penicillin in 1938 as a scientific exercise, without considering its possible benefit to humanity. In 1940, they did an experiment on eight mice that had been infected with strep. The four that received penicillin were fine, the other four were dead the next day. The decided to do a human trial and grew a supply. In 1941, they treated Albert Alexander, a police officer who had a lethal infection from a rose bush scratch. They gave him penicillin and the infection began to subside. The infection was almost gone when they ran out of their supply, after which the infection came back and killed him. Chain, who had figured out how to isolate and concentrate penicillin, vowed he would not do another test until they had an adequate supply. The next year, they treated a woman, Anne Miller, who made a full recovery. However, it took six weeks for them to grow the amount that had been used to treat her, hardly a sustainable model. They had to figure out a way to grow penicillin in quantity, and succeeded in 1943. That was fortuitous, because Florey developed pneumonia that year, and his life was saved by their research. In 1944, penicillin was being deployed among Allied troops in World War II, and it is believed to have saved 2 million lives during the war. In his Nobel acceptance speech on Dec. 10, 1945, Chain said “as a member of one of the most cruelly persecuted races in the world I am profoundly grateful to Providence that it has fallen to me, together with my friend Sir Howard Florey, to originate this work on penicillin which has helped to alleviate the suffering of the wounded soldiers of Britain, the country that has adopted me, and the wounded soldiers of our Allies, among them many thousands belonging to my own race, in their bitter struggle against one of the blood lost and most inhuman tyrannies the world has ever seen.” He emphasized the role of scientists in pursuing discoveries for the greater good, and not to ignore the fight against barbarism by saying it is the role only of the politician. After the war, he worked in Rome, becoming the scientific director of the International Research Centre for Chemical Microbiology. He returned to London in 1961 as professor of biochemistry at Imperial College. He died in 1979. Chain served on the board of the Weizmann Institute in Israel, and was a supporter of Jewish education in England and beyond. Of the 954 Nobel Prizes awarded through 2022, at least 212 have gone to Jews, or individuals with at least one Jewish parent. Rau said a physics medal from 1965, without the accompanying folder and speech, sold for $1 million at auction, while James Watson’s 1962 Nobel in medicine went for over $5.3 million in 2014. The Chain Nobel is priced well below Watson’s, Rau said. “I get excited about history,” Rau said. “This is history, and it is history for good. The discovery of penicillin was one of the great goods of all time.”
community “Heschel’s Passover Eve” explores theologian’s close bonds with King Just after King Weekend, the Birmingham Jewish community will host a performance on Jan. 16 of a new one-man show about the close relationship between Martin Luther King Jr. and one of the 20th century’s leading Jewish thinkers. “Heschel’s Passover Eve” portrays Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel a few days before the beginning of Passover, and the Seder to which he invited King. The preparations for the Seder include reflections on the universal drive for freedom, and the call to “let my people go,” and the show is a window into Heschel’s complex character. The play was commissioned by the World Zionist Organization to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Heschel’s death, December 2022. A professor at the Jewish Theological Seminary in New York, Heschel authored numerous influential works on Jewish philosophy, including “Man Is Not Alone,” “God in Search of Man” and “The Sabbath: Its Meaning for Modern Man.” Born in Poland, Heschel studied in Berlin, becoming a rabbi. In 1938 he was arrested by the Gestapo, and managed to flee Poland six weeks before Germany’s invasion, leaving for London before making his way to the United States. He lost sisters and his mother in the Holocaust, and never went back to the lands of his childhood. Heschel represented American Jewry at the Second Vatican Council, which led to the elimination of references in Catholic liturgy that demeaned Jews. In January 1963, King and Heschel met at an interfaith conference on religion and race in Chicago, organized by the National Conference of Christians and Jews, with Heschel as a keynote speaker. Heschel’s book, “The Prophets,” was adopted by civil rights leaders for its message of being religious warriors for morality. Heschel received a standing ovation for his speech, where he said being religious and being racist were mutually exclusive. He became close friends with King, who referred to Heschel as “a truly great prophet,” and Heschel continued to participate in the Civil Rights movement. In 1965, he famously marched with King and John Lewis in the Third Selma to Montgomery March, just days after Heschel led a protest about Selma in front of the Federal Bureau of Investigation in New York. Through his friendship with Heschel, King became involved in the causes of Soviet Jewry and Israel. Heschel also got King to finally speak out against the war in Vietnam in early 1967, and they linked arms in a Vietnam protest at
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community Arlington Cemetery in February 1968. Ten days before he was assassinated, King delivered the keynote at a Rabbinical Assembly event celebrating Heschel’s birthday. Yizhar Hess, vice chairman of the World Zionist Organization, had the original idea for the show. He said that outside the U.S., Heschel is not well known, and the play was intended as a way to introduce Israelis to a towering figure in Diaspora Jewry. The show was originally written in Hebrew and performed several times in Israel last year. The show was also performed in Buenos Aires and the United Kingdom. The first English performance was on Nov. 30 in Baltimore. Eric Berger stars as Heschel. The Birmingham performance is presented by the Levite Jewish Community Center, in partnership with Temple Beth-El, Temple Emanu-El and the Jewish Community Relations Council. Hess will attend a pre-show reception, which starts at 6:30 p.m. at the LJCC. The play will be at 7 p.m., followed by a talkback. Adult tickets are $10, child tickets to age 18 are $5.
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New Jewish Learning course has life advice The new multimedia course from the Rohr Jewish Learning Institute explores the practical wisdom of Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson. “Advice for Life: The Rebbe’s Advice for Leading a More Purposeful Life” is how the Rebbe applied Jewish values to serve as a guide for finding deeper meaning in everyday life. The six-part series, hosted by Chabad houses in the region, begins in late January. Topics planned for the discussions include meaning at work, family bliss, wholesome health, emotional health, managing adverse challenges by seeing their inner meaning, and achieving spiritual growth. In Baton Rouge, the course will be held in person at the main library on Goodwood on Mondays at 11 a.m., and by Zoom at 7 p.m., Jan. 29 to March 4. Registration is $98, 10 percent off for returning students or couples. In the New Orleans area, the course will begin in Metairie on Jan. 30, with Tuesday classes at 10:30 a.m. at the Goldring/Woldenberg Jewish Community Campus, or at Chabad in Metairie at 7:30 p.m. There will be no class the week of Mardi Gras. The class will be available in person and online. There will be a free standalone class in Metairie on Jan. 30, with dinner served at the evening session. Registration for the course in Metairie is $89, including textbook, and there is a 20 percent returning student and couples discount. Chabad Uptown will hold its classes on Wednesdays at 7 p.m., starting on Jan. 31. Registration is $89, with a 10 percent discount for returning students, or groups of at least two. Registration information has not been finalized for Birmingham.
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
Joint internship with SJL, Birmingham Times led to numerous opportunities By Kiara Dunlap
When a young woman from California moves across the country for college and lands an internship with Southern Jewish Life magazine and the Birmingham Times, she quickly learns a lot about rich, deeply rooted history here in Birmingham. I am Kiara Dunlap, a recent graduate of Miles College, a Birmingham-area HBCU. Through an innovative joint internship, I interned for the two publications, writing stories of interest to both the Black and Jewish communities. Through this experience, as well as my four years at Miles, I gained valuable perspective on the history of each community and the ways they have worked together, especially during the Civil Rights era. The internship included meetings with editors from both publications — in conference rooms and coffee shops. These mentors have given me professional development advice and helped me become a better writer. They also have become my friends. Sitting side by side with Barnett Wright, executive editor of the Birmingham Times, and learning how to structure a story was a great experience. Working with Richard Friedman, associate editor of Southern Jewish Life, and going over my story word by word, taught me to write from the heart. The Birmingham Times highlights Birmingham’s Black community. Southern Jewish Life, based in Birmingham, covers a four-state region — Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and NW Florida and has recently expanded to reporting on the broader South. My first assignment, covering a program at the University of Alabama at Birmingham on Black-Jewish relations and hearing panelists share their stories, was eye-opening. The interchange was inspirational. Both the Black and Jewish panelists reflected a deep respect for each other’s community. There were different perspectives, but those differences were appreciated. There also was a willingness by the participants to be corrected and educated by their fellow panelists. My second story was on the N.E Miles Jewish Day School’s celebration of Black History Month. Walking through the school, you could feel the impact that learning about African-Ameri-
community can history had on the young students and how much they respected the achievements of the Black community. And the students were not just white, as one may have thought; there also were students of color. This also was the day that I visited the Levite Jewish Community Center for the first time.
Falling in love Walking through its colorful corridors, I was told that the LJCC is open to everyone. I learned that in the Jewish tradition, “welcoming the stranger” — embracing those from outside of one’s community — is one of the highest values. This was reflected by the diversity of people I saw. I also learned that in the 1960s, the Jewish Community Center challenged Birmingham’s segregation culture by opening its doors to all races. Through the stories I have written and the people I have met, I entered new spaces. I had never known a Jewish person until my internship. I have fallen in love with the Birmingham Jewish community and developed a great admiration for the people I met. Their values, warmth and appreciation for other communities made a deep impact on me. My additional stories included a feature on the friendship between an older Jewish couple and a younger African-American leader, and a concert at Temple Beth-El by a Black and White singing duo, both of whom were Jewish. It was a wonderful evening that began with a Havdalah service, a beautiful ritual that marks the conclusion of the Jewish Sabbath. In addition, Southern Jewish Life editor and publisher Larry Brook invited me to his home for a Passover Seder, a traditional meal and celebration that commemorates the Exodus of the Jewish people from Egypt and their freedom from slavery. Not only is there an obvious linkage to the Black experience of slavery, but it was especially meaningful to me, as
a Christian, because my church’s vision is, “Leading People Out of Egypt and into the Promised Land of Freedom.” Then, after writing these stories, I had the incredible opportunity to spend just under two weeks in Israel. This experience beautifully tied together my understanding of what it means to identify as a Jewish person and the importance of strengthening ties not only between the Jewish and Black communities but also the Christian and Jewish communities. In addition, it drew me more deeply into my own Christianity in a way that I believe will affect and guide me for the rest of my life. It was especially meaningful to travel with a group of young Black leaders organized by Philos Black, an Atlanta-based organization that strengthens ties between Blacks and Jews and educates Black leaders about Israel. I wrote two stories based on my trip — one an overall story on the experience and the second on my encounters in Israel with Ethiopian Jews, Jews who had immigrated to Israel from Africa. Along with exposure to the Jewish community and Israel, my internship and time in Birmingham deepened my understanding of the struggles my community faced during the Civil Rights period. As a young Black person, I believe this additional appreciation is important. The more knowledge my peers and I have of these difficulties and triumphs,
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the more we can appreciate who we are and the importance of my generation’s role in leading our community forward. Sessions at the Birmingham Times helped lead me to this enhanced awareness. Not only did the Times play a critical role in keeping the Black community informed during its period of struggle, but the paper also plays an important role today in highlighting the success of local African Americans.
New Framework My Miles College experience has strengthened my identity and elevated my confidence as a young Black woman. I had planned to attend college in my home state but that fell through, and I wound up applying to schools in other parts of the country. One of these was Miles College. Once accepted, Miles kept “pestering” me to enroll. I am thankful I did! After growing up in a mainly white California community, attending a historically Black college in the Deep South has immersed me in the culture and history of the African-American experience far beyond anything I had previously encountered. Being surrounded by Black educators, administrators, friends and sorority sisters has created a new framework for me. Though I don’t know where my life will ultimately lead me, I am glad the first phase of my journey has taken me from California to Birmingham. Although California will always be home, Birmingham will remain special for me. Not only has it been a place for me to learn about the Jewish community and develop a deeper appreciation of the historic struggle of my own community, but it is also where I experienced a deep Christian awakening, a process people sometimes refer to as being “born again.” As I look back on my life in Birmingham so far, I believe all three experiences are intertwined and nothing has been more rewarding than growing in my identity as a child of God and embracing and trusting His purpose for my life. Although this was an internship for a news publication and magazine, I have learned so much more than writing skills. I’ve learned more about the world and communities around me. I learned the shared and personal history of two culturally significant communities. I’ve learned so much more about myself and I’ve learned how to tell a story effectively. I hope I have done just that in telling you my story. Now for a final PS… My journey in Birmingham has taken an interesting turn. I’m now working at the LJCC. I feel at home at the LJCC as a young Black woman, because our membership is so diverse, drawing people of all faiths and backgrounds from across the metro area. I also feel at home because of the attachment to the Jewish community and Israel I developed as a result of my internship. Most of all, I have discovered a new me, anchored in belonging.
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Levys of Monticello
Lineups set for Mobile, Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festivals Jewish Film Festivals return to the screen in Mobile and Baton Rouge in January. The Mobile Jewish Film Festival will be in numerous venues around Mobile and Baldwin Counties from Jan. 7 to 21, while the 18th Baton Rouge Jewish Film Festival continues its run at the Manship Theatre, Jan. 10 to 14. For the Mobile festival, most of the films will have a virtual option in addition to the in-person screening. As part of the festival, the Julien Marx Student Holocaust Film Series will teach the lessons of the Holocaust to students throughout Mobile and Baldwin Counties. The comedy “My Neighbor Adolf” kicks off the Mobile festival, Jan. 7 at 2 p.m. at Springhill Avenue Temple. The comic drama is set in 1960 in Colombia, as a grumpy Holocaust survivor, Marek Polsky, is convinced that his new neighbor is actually Adolf Hitler, because right after Eichmann was captured in Argentina, a mysterious old German man moved in next door to him. Nobody believes Polsky, so he works to become closer to the neighbor, to gather evidence. An opening reception will follow the screening. The next three films are at the Laidlaw Performing Arts Center on the campus of the University of South Alabama. On Jan. 9 at 7 p.m., the festival revisits “Rock in the Red Zone,” which was shown nine years ago. The documentary focuses on Sderot, a town half a mile from the Gaza border, whose Jews are mainly of Middle Eastern and North African descent. Ever since Hamas took over the Gaza Strip in 2007, Sderot has been under a recurring barrage of rocket fire. Despite that, a successful music industry developed in the town, and the film
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
community shows how they create under a challenging atmosphere. Currently, the town of 30,000 is almost deserted after the Hamas attack of Oct. 7, which killed around 40 residents. Alabama has close ties to Sderot, as the Alabama-Israel Task Force is a major supporter of the Israel Leadership Institute there. “Rock in the Red Zone” Director Shoshana Treichel will introduce the film. On Jan. 10 at 7 p.m., “Rabbi on the Block” highlights the Jewish and African-American communities’ quest to work together. Tamar Manasseh, a charismatic rabbi and community activist from the south side of Chicago, sees herself as a bridge between the African American and Jewish communities. An anti-violence activist, she was previously featured in a documentary, “They Ain’t Ready for Me.” The more recent work, which focuses on her spiritual journey, debuted at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in July. Her mother “reverted” to Judaism, and Manasseh grew up attending a Jewish day school, taking the bus from Chicago’s South Side to an affluent neighborhood where the school was located. After her daughter’s bat mitzvah, she enrolled in the International Israelite rabbinical school, studying with Rabbi Capers Funnye, but after several years of the institution refusing to ordain a woman despite her service to the community, Funnye took it upon himself to ordain her in 2021. According to j., the Jewish news of Northern California, the film does not delve into Hebrew Israelism, which is often seen as outside of mainstream Judaism. While there are some radical Hebrew Israelite movements hostile to white Jews, many Hebrew Israelism congregations want to be part of the broader Jewish world, and Manasseh sees reluctance as white Ashkenazi gatekeeping. In the film, she says “I’d like for American Judaism to be based on good
deeds and good works, and not what you look like.” The film won the Audience Award at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival, and Director Brad Rothchild will have a Zoom question and answer session after the screening. “You Will Not Play Wagner” will be screened on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m. Because of Wagner’s antisemitism and the Nazi embrace of his music, public performances of Wagner are banned in Israel. The film depicts the passionate debate between a young Israeli conductor who chooses to perform Wagner in an international competition, and Esther, a major contributor to the competition and a Holocaust survivor, who forbids it. Author Roy Hoffman will lead a discussion following the screening, and a reception will follow the discussion.
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community The festival moves to Ahavas Chesed on Jan. 13 at 7 p.m., for “Matchmaking.” The comedy won the Audience Award at the Miami Jewish Film Festival, is Israel’s top box office hit of 2023 and has been selected as this year’s Reita Franco Memorial Film. The film depicts Moti, a popular bachelor who can have anyone he wants, but he falls for one that he can’t have, his sister’s friend from a Moroccan Mizrahi family. The film is described as giving a light Orthodox twist to “Romeo and Juliet.” A reception will precede the screening. A Southern Jewish historical film, “The Levys of Monticello,” will be on Jan. 16 at 7 p.m. at the Fairhope campus of the University of South Alabama. When President Thomas Jefferson died in 1826, he left a mountain of debt. His prized home, Monticello, had to be sold. Uriah Levy, dismayed at what had become of the home, bought it to preserve it for the nation. He embarked on a restoration, attracting tourists. He died in 1862, leaving the property to the United States as a school for orphans of naval officers. The Civil War complicated matters, and after the war and a lengthy legal battle, Levy’s nephew, Jefferson Monroe Levy, wound up as owner. In 1923, the newly-founded Thomas Jefferson Foundation purchased the property. Uriah Levy was a fifth-generation American and a Naval hero. Despite everything, the Levys had to deal with antisemitism and being considered “outsiders” throughout their time owning Monticello. David Meola, Jewish studies professor at USA, will introduce the film, and there will be a reception following. On Jan. 18 at 3 p.m., the Mobile Museum of Art will host “The Shoah Ambassadors.” Two young ambassadors from Detroit seek to share knowledge of the Holocaust with their generation, becoming caretakers of the stories of five Holocaust survivors. A Zoom question and answer session with the film’s director will follow. The final film of the festival will be on Jan. 21 at 2 p.m. at Ahavas Chesed. “Remember This” is a solo performance by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn, portraying Jan Karski in a true story of a reluctant World War II hero and Holocaust witness. Karski was a witness to Nazi atrocities early on, when there was still time to stop them. He escaped a Gestapo prison, witnessed the despair of the Warsaw Ghetto and a death camp. He risked his life to bring eyewitness accounts to the West, including the Oval Office. A Zoom question and answer session with co-writer Clark Young will follow the film. The afternoon will conclude with a closing reception. Individual tickets, both virtual and in-person, are $9. Festival passes, both virtual and in-person, are available for $60. Sponsorships start at $100 and go to $2500.
Baton Rouge Festival The Baton Rouge festival opens with a film about a film legend — “Remembering Gene Wilder,” Jan. 10 at 7 p.m. Much of the film is narrated by Wilder himself, using the audio from his 2005 memoir. He inhabited numerous iconic characters, especially Willy Wonka in “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” and Frederick Frankenstein in “Young Frankenstein.” His credits also include “The Producers” and “Blazing Saddles,” and his lesser-known portrayal of a bumbling Polish rabbi, opposite a bank robber played by Harrison Ford, in “The Frisco Kid.” Born Jerome Silberman, Wilder said he wanted “to be wilder,” and thus took that name. A Milwaukee native, he often paired with the Borscht Belt Mel Brooks, who is featured in this retrospective. Though known for making others laugh, Wilder had his struggles, including sexual abuse as a child, losing his first wife, Gilda Radner, to cancer, and his decline through Alzheimer’s. “Closed Circuit,” on Jan. 11 at 7 p.m., is a raw film about a 2016 terror 36
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
From Psalm 140
Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked, Protect me from lawless men who scheme to make me fall… I said to the Lord, you are my God, listen, O Lord, to the voice of my supplication… May the heads of those who surround me be covered with the troubles their lips have caused.
Am Yisrael Chai
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community attack at Sarona Market in Tel Aviv, when two men opened fire at the popular café, killing four. Directed by Tal Inbar, the film is produced by Nancy Spielberg, deconstructing the events of that night. The film includes raw footage from security cameras, and interviews wit survivors, including a father breaking the Ramadan fast with his family, a police officer who unknowingly saves one of the fleeing terrorists, a girl who escapes but her father was killed, and how the lives of the Arab and Jewish employees were forever changed. “Not Quite Kosher,” on Jan. 13 at 7:30 p.m., is a comedy about Ben, an ultra-Orthodox Brooklyn Jew who is sent to Alexandria, Egypt. He is slated to be the 10th man for Passover in an attempt to keep what was once the largest Jewish community in the world from shutting down, as an ancient agreement held that if the Jews are unable to celebrate the holiday, the community would be absorbed by the state. As the Alexandria community awaits his arrival, he misses his flight from Israel, then is kicked off a bus headed to Cairo, stranded in the desert with five days to get to Alexandria. Adel, a Bedouin, stumbles upon Ben while looking for his missing camel, and when Adel’s car breaks down, the unlikely pair learn about each other while trying to survive and get where they are going. The festival concludes on Jan. 14 at 3 p.m. with “Vishniac.” One of the foremost photographers of the 20th century, Roman Vishniac is known for his travels in Eastern Europe, depicting Jewish life in the region in the mid-1930s so the American Joint Distribution Committee could raise funds for impoverished communities. Few would have suspected that these would be the last visual records of communities that would be completely wiped out. The film is about his entire career, from Berlin in the Weimar era to chronicling post-war Jewish immigration in the United States. In addition to his historical contributions, Vishniac was also a scientist, with considerable advances in microscopic photography, and a “Living Biology” series of films depicting life through a microscope. Tickets are $8.50, and there is a VIP Movie Club for freebies and discounts.
Not Quite Kosher 38
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
MOVING to a LARGER SPACE
Same Shopping Center in Metairie —
Simchas
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a semi-annual special section Sydney Black and Nathan Pastron wedding at Haven in September 2021
A Haven for special events By Lee J. Green What was started in 2016 as a “gift to Birmingham” has blossomed into a Haven for community events and celebrations. “Our first event at Haven was Mayor Randall Woodfin’s inauguration party,” said Haven General Manager Heather Roberts-Wood. The Southside event space was started by Milo’s Tea CEO Tricia Wallwork and her husband Troy, the CEO of DataPerk. “Troy and Tricia were born and raised here. They wanted a place that Birmingham could be proud of.” Roberts-Wood said that Haven’s space is versatile and can be arranged to accommodate 1,500 people in standing-room or a 900-patron seated dinner. In September 2021, they hosted the Sydney Black and Nathan Pastron wedding, a traditional Jewish wedding with a chuppah, a 16-piece band and more than 300 guests. “They really transformed the space on a major level,” she said. “And they did it in the round so everything flowed so well.”
Haven has hosted many community and non-profit events, including those for Mitchell’s Place, Crohns and Colitis of Birmingham, the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute, the Alabama Business Hall of Fame, the Women’s Fund, Girls Inc. and the afterparty for the 25th annual Sidewalk Film Festival. Roberts-Wood said that they have a preferred vendor list but they are open to adding new vendors to the roster. Earlier this year, Haven started hosting public events every Monday. They rotate event themes and they’ve included music, trivia, movies, even miniature golf. The last Monday of every month is a Jazz Night featuring the group Magic City Standard. The Monday night events are free with a cash bar, and tours of the space are available. Roberts-Wood said was inspired by her event coordination work with New Orleans Jazzfest. “We thought it was a great way to open up to the public and let everyone see what can be done with the space,” she said. “It’s a great way to show off our diversity.”
Unique experiences at Ritz-Carlton’s The Residence The Ritz-Carlton in New Orleans has been the venue for numerous simchas over the years. Now, the landmark French Quarter hotel is taking celebrations to new heights, with The Residence. The hotel’s crown jewel boasts over 6,500 square feet of indoor and outdoor space high above the French Quarter. Available as an elegant suite for overnight stays, or as a venue for private events of up to 100 people, The Resi-
dence made its debut in late 2021. The Residence provides all the comforts of home with two-bedrooms, living room, dining room and fully equipped kitchen, as well as an expansive private outdoor terrace for relaxation or entertaining overlooking the city. The terrace, at 3,500 square feet, provides sweeping views of New Orleans. An outdoor seating area with a fireplace and water feature provides an ideal space for relaxation and inti-
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mate conversation, while a garden and overlook is the perfect setting for an event or intimate wedding. Private events for up to 50 people can be done indoors, with a dining room ideal for hosting parties of up to 10, fireplaces crackling in the living room and primary bedroom, well-appointed marble bathrooms and an oversized soaking tub under a sparkling chandelier, as well as access to the Maison Orleans Club Lounge for overnight stays. The suite includes a collection from regional artists in a variety of media, curated by local galleries including Arthur Roger Gallery, Octavia Gallery, and Carol Robinson Gallery. Highlights include a dramatic photo of The Palais Garnier that greets guests upon arrival into the suite, French silk wallpaper adding an elegant touch to each space, and wooden herringbone flooring throughout. Set within the 1908 Beaux Arts Maison Blanche building, a landmark of New Orleans Jewish history, the Ritz-Carlton features 528 sleeping rooms, live music at the Davenport Lounge, local culinary experiences with M Bistro, and more than 100 treatments at the award-winning newly-reimagined luxury spa.
B&A Warehouse continues to be a hot spot for simchas in Birmingham By Lee J. Green
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
Birmingham’s B&A Warehouse will become the B’nai Warehouse one Saturday this fall and one next spring. The popular Railroad Park event-hosting space will host not one but two B’nai Mitzvahs for two sets of twins, in November and next May. “We’ve had many Bar and Bat Mitzvahs here” since B&A opened in 1999, said Marketing Director Hailey Roebuck. “The great thing about this space is that we can accommodate smaller or large events and the space can be personalized to fit with the celebration.” Utilizing all of the spaces, they can fit up to 800 for a reception-style event. The B&A offers non-profit rates to organizations and hosts several fundraiser events during the year. That includes Studio By The Tracks’ Art from the Heart fundraiser this past July, which welcomed 400 people, the Birmingham AIDS Outreach Arty Party and the 26th annual Boo Halloween event benefitting the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Alabama. In 2022, the B&A introduced a new, larger stage, among other internal enhancements. Chef Deborah Thomas specializes in Southern cuisine, but Roebuck said they are happy to do customized menus including kosher-style and even family recipes. They also can accommodate those who keep strict kosher and need meals brought into the facility. “That’s one reason why the ‘food stations’ are so popular,” said Roebuck. “You can select what you want and go kosher-style.”
Foundations offer year-end charitable and tax planning strategies As the end of the year nears and community members start looking at end-of-year financial planning, the Birmingham Jewish Foundation and the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana are sharing pertinent information about what the financial and tax landscape look like this year, and steps that can be taken to minimize taxes that might otherwise be due. Both organizations stress that they do not provide tax advice, and everyone is encouraged to consult with their tax advisor or other professional for optimal tax advantages and guidance.
financial an annual SJL special section
Key considerations Use appreciated assets to make a charitable gift in 2023. As in previous years, gifts of appreciated assets, such as stock, remain a best practice. Such gifts may not only provide a deduction to the donor for the full value of the asset, but also avoid the capital gains tax that would apply if the assets were sold. Conversely, built-in loss assets generally should be sold, generating a tax loss, with the resulting cash proceeds donated, if desired. As in previous years, capital losses can offset gains, and net capital losses may be used to offset ordinary income up to $3,000, with any excess capital loss carried forward to be used in a future year. Consider donating to a Donor Advised Fund this year for maximum flexibility. If one is considering making a significant donation to charity over time, but wants a deduction today, adding funds to an existing Donor Advised Fund or opening a new DAF is an option. A DAF is a fund from
which one may make recommendations for grants to various charities at any time. Another favorable benefit to opening a DAF is the ability to bundle charitable contributions in any given year, enabling one to exceed the standard deduction but distribute money held in the DAF over time. Both BJF and JEF offer donor advised funds and are happy to assist. Look into an IRA charitable rollover. The IRA charitable rollover may be an attractive option. It permits the transfer of up to $100,000 per year, indexed for inflation, from an IRA directly to a charity, free of any income tax one would otherwise be paying. In addition, such rollovers help satisfy the IRA minimum distribution requirement (RMD). Prior to 2022, an individual had to start taking their RMD from a retirement account at age 70½, but with a recent change in federal law this
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financial
age requirement for some has increased. Now, if the individual turned 72 in 2022 or earlier (born in 1950 or earlier), there is no change to the RMD starting age. If the individual was born from 1951 to 1959, they can delay taking their RMD until age 73. If they were born in 1960 or later, 75 years is their RMD starting age. However, the minimum age for making a Qualified Charitable Distribution remains 70½. Please note that rollovers cannot be made to a Donor Advised Fund, but can be made to a Designated Fund, which JEF can create for a donor, or directly to a charity. The Birmingham Jewish Foundation is not able to accept such gifts, but charitable distributions may be made directly to the Birmingham Jewish Federation, synagogues, and other partner agencies. Expansion of IRA Charitable Rollover Provision. Last December, Congress passed the Secure 2.0 legislation, which expands the IRA charitable rollover provision to allow for a one-time, $50,000 distribution to charities through charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts, effective in 2023. Consider accelerating non-charitable gifts. The 2023 unified estate/ gift credit of $12.92 million is scheduled to automatically reduce to around $7 million beginning in 2026. Accordingly, taxpayers who intend to make significant family gifts, either during their lifetime or in the form of bequests, may want to consider accelerating some or all of those gifts early, as their resources permit. For more information, contact Sarah Gotlieb (sarahg@bjf.org) at the Birmingham Jewish Foundation at (205) 803-1519, or Bobby Garon (bobby@ jefno.org) at the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana at (504) 5244559.
NOLA Hard Money: Funding Solutions for New Orleans’ Real Estate Needs Special to SJL Amidst the vibrant tapestry of New Orleans, NOLA Hard Money stands out as a beacon of financial empowerment for real estate investors and homeowners alike. Established with a deep understanding of the city’s unique landscape and unwavering commitment to its revitalization, NOLA Hard Money has carved a niche as a trusted provider of hard money loans, catering to diverse funding needs that fuel the city’s growth.
A Deep-Rooted Connection to New Orleans NOLA Hard Money is more than just a lending institution; it’s an embodiment of the city’s resilience and entrepreneurial spirit. Founded by New Orleanians with a profound understanding of the city’s intricate real estate market, NOLA Hard Money is driven by a passion for fostering economic growth and community development. This deep-rooted connection to New Orleans sets the company apart, enabling it to provide tailored solutions that align with the city’s specific needs and aspirations.
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Traditional financing options often fall short when it comes to meeting the unique requirements of real estate projects in New Orleans. Strict lending criteria, lengthy approval processes, and limited funding options can hinder the progress of even the most promising ventures. NOLA Hard Money steps in to bridge this gap, offering flexible and accessible hard money loans that empower individuals and businesses to pursue their real estate goals.
A Comprehensive Suite of Hard Money Loans NOLA Hard Money’s comprehensive suite of hard money loans caters to a wide range of real estate scenarios. From fix-and-flip projects to commercial property acquisitions, NOLA Hard Money’s team of experienced
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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financial EXECUTIVE COACHING • LIFE COACHING LEADERSHIP COACHING
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Sanders Painting Residential Repaint Specialist • Interior/Exterior Painting • Wood, Plaster, & Sheet Rock Repair Family Owned and Operated
205/563-9037 Involved Members of Birmingham’s Jewish Community
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
professionals works closely with clients to de- ner in the New Orleans real estate community. sign customized financing solutions that align Fueling New Orleans’ Revitalization with their specific needs and objectives. NOLA Hard Money’s impact extends far A Commitment to Transparency and Trust beyond providing financial solutions for indiNOLA Hard Money is committed to fostering vidual projects. The company plays a pivotal a culture of transparency and trust with its cli- role in driving New Orleans’ revitalization by ents. The company’s straightforward approach supporting the renovation and development of and transparent communication practices en- properties across the city. By empowering invessure that clients are fully informed throughout tors and homeowners to pursue their real estate the entire loan process. This commitment to cli- dreams, NOLA Hard Money is actively contribent satisfaction has earned NOLA Hard Money uting to the city’s regeneration and economic a reputation as a reliable and trustworthy part- vibrancy.
Incentives available for summer camp With the filing of summer camp applications, scholarship and incentive grant applications are not far behind. The annual incentive programs for first-time campers and rural Louisiana campers, coordinated through the Jewish Endowment Foundation of Louisiana, are now open, as are the need-based scholarships from Jewish Children’s Regional Service. The Goldring Jewish Summer Camp Experience, funded by the Goldring Family Foundation, offers grants of up to $1,500 to help families send first-time campers to nonprofit Jewish sleepaway camps. Sponsored by the Goldring Family Foundation since 2001, this program has distributed grants enabling more than 1,800 children to attend Jewish summer camp for their first summer. Children in grades one through nine who reside in Louisiana, Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi and the Florida Panhandle are eligible to apply. The Goldring grants are not need-based, synagogue affiliation is not required, and families with a non-Jewish spouse are eligible. The application deadline is March 1, and grant award notifications will be made by mid-April. Another incentive for campers from small communities in Louisiana is the RoseMary and Saul Brooks Fund for Jewish Youth Engagement, providing grants of at least $550 for up to 10 Jewish campers. To be eligible, a camper must identify as Jewish with at least one Jewish parent, reside fulltime in Louisiana outside the New Orleans or Baton Rouge areas, be entering grades one to 12 and attending a non-profit Jewish sleepaway
>> Agenda
camp. Siblings are eligible, and recipients may reapply in future years. The funding is on a firstcome, first-serve basis, and applications will be reviewed by JEF staff and board members, and a representative of the Brooks family. The fund was initially established by RoseMary Brooks of Baton Rouge at JEF to enable her grandchildren to travel to Israel. After the youngest turned 18, the fund was converted to enable other kids to attend summer camp.
JCRS Scholarships Last summer, the New Orleans-based Jewish Children’s Regional Service provided partial scholarship funding for over 430 children to attend summer camp. The need-based scholarships are available to campers in Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, Texas and Oklahoma, entering grades 3 to 12. There are two scholarship options — a short form with an award of $250, or a longer form with a need-based award to be determined on a case by case basis. Both require financial documentation, and no award covers the entire cost of summer camp. The priority deadline is Feb. 15, and the applications are done entirely online at jcrs.org. The agency also provides college scholarship aid, special needs assistance and often coordinates disaster relief. They also administer PJ Library in numerous communities throughout the region, and provide Chanukah gifts for children in need, or isolated residents in adult care facilities. In all, over 1,200 Jewish children in the region are served by JCRS annually.
This Week In Southern Jewish Life The South’s Most Comprehensive continued fromWeekly page 8 Jewish News Email
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chanukah
an annual SJL special section
Have lunch and get your Chanukah shopping done — in addition to the extensive grocery selections, Kosher Cajun has its Chanukah shop open with a wide range of gifts and decor.
Kosher Cajun
3519 Severn Avenue Metairie 504/888-2010 koshercajun.com
Hollywood Outdoor Living
1441 Montgomery Hwy Birmingham hollywoodoutdoorliving.com 205/979.7727 The hottest gift at Hollywood Outdoor Living continues to be the Big Green Egg. Touted as “much more than a grill,” the Big Green Egg is a versatile outdoor cooking system engineered to be stronger, more durable and provide better heat retention than any other outdoor cooker on the market. Located in Vestavia on Highway 31, Hollywood Outdoor Living is also an authorized retailer of Big Green Egg products and accessories, including grill pans, baking dishes and cooking utensils. Hollywood Outdoor Living started as Hollywood Pools in 1986. They expanded and moved to their current location in 2005. In 2018, they acquired Alabama Pools to expand their pool and spa services. In 2021, they acquired Alabama Gaslight & Grill, rebranding in 2022 as Hollywood Outdoor Living. They sell and service pools, spas and also offer grills, lighting, furniture and fireplaces. Sundance Optima 880 Spa December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Gus Mayer
225 Summit Blvd., #700 Birmingham 205/870.3300 gusmayer.com The Teri Jon Jacquard Dress ($710) is a beautiful holiday dress finished in a geometric metallic jacquard. Teri Jon designer Rickie Freeman is Israeli born.
Judith Lieber is a Budapest-born Holocaust survivor who came to America and founded her brand in 1963, becoming a celebrity handbag icon. This Crystal Net Bag ($695), with a top handle, drawstring closure is the evening bag people dream about.
The Michael Aram chess set ($1900) draws heavily on his background as a sculptor, with each piece emerging from hand-sculpted clay. The set is made of marble, golden metal, nickel-plated metal and black nickel-plated metal.
CUSTOM FRAMING
The Alice + Olivia “Eloise” blouse ($330) in a floral-print burnout design has rich hues for fall and winter. Founder Stacey Bendet, a Jewish designer, has embraced bold color, eclectic prints and an overall passion for whimsey since launching Alice + Olivia in 2002, creating a playful and overtly feminine aesthetic that’s uniquely her own.
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Birmingham Zoo
2630 Cahaba Road Birmingham birminghamzoo.com
PHOTO RESTORATION and ARCHIVING BEFORE
AFTER
213 Country Club Park, Crestline • imageartsetc.com 46
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
The Birmingham Zoo has a gift that won’t fit into a box. Animal lovers can walk on the wild side with a Behind the Scenes Encounter. The insider look shows how the Zoo cares for the animals, including elephants, giraffes, and bears. Giraffe encounters will be offered each Saturday at 1 p.m. until the end of February. Encounters are led by a Zoo educator and include a tour of behind-the-scenes animal areas, time with expert Animal Care Professionals, and a special opportunity to meet animals up close. The Zoo also has Glow Wild: An Animal Lantern Celebration, featuring more than 150 lanterns showcasing international animals and one special tribute to Birmingham. Glow Wild is open from 5 to 9 p.m. on weekends and select weekdays through Jan. 15. Of course, for year-round visits, Zoo memberships also make great gifts.
chanukah Rome Curate
3409 5th Avenue South Birmingham 205/999.4409 romecurate.com
definitely want to foster Lifestyle brand launches in Birmingham the“We local art and design commuWhen Nicole Roby launched her luxury lifestyle brand Rome Curate in October, her goal was to not just launch a brand but create a community. The interior designer and founder of Nicole Roby Designs, which started in Birmingham in 2019, said she was inspired by her quest to help clients see their visions come to fruition. “I’ve always been attracted to timeless, elegant design with modern sensibilities,” said Roby. “And I’ve always looked at the bigger picture of interior design. It’s creating an environment that feels like home… personalizing that space for clients.” “Time is very important,” she said. “You need a one-stop shop that can provide everything you need for your home and lifestyle, and we want to meet that need with Rome Curate.” In addition to furniture and accessories, Rome Curate’s tailored collection includes art, photography, books, rugs and candles. But there are also items that many might be surprised to find — the O Hui and The History of Whoo lines of skin care products for men and women from South Korea, and even products for pets. “Rome Curate encompasses anything used in the home,” said Roby, who is from Scottsboro, but her mom is from Seoul, South Korea. “The skin care line has been a family business for years and they are among the leaders in the skin care industry. We thought it fit very well with what we’re all about.” She said Rome Curate also wants to offer a platform for artists and photographers to showcase their work to a broader audience.
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VISIT OUR WEBSITE!
CALL: 504-833-3311
nity,” said Roby. “In addition to our featured artists, we have used These functional white bone boxes local and regional craftsmen for are decorated with rectangular most of our exclusive products tiles handcrafted into a mosaic and furniture.” arrangement of elegance. Each She came up with the Rome one is unique with its own design Curate name by combining Roby of brass trimming. with Home. “Plus, we wanted something to reference a European center for style… coupled with Southern flair.” Roby and her husband, Chris, just had their third child back in May. She said she knows what it’s like to juggle family and career. “I know it’s about striking a balance. I’m lucky to have a good team at Rome Curate and some great support at home. We want to make it easier for other families to make their homes an oasis for loved ones to enjoy,” she said. In November, Rome Curate hosted a skin care event, and they plan to have regular events and workshops in 2024. Programming will vary and span many topics such as health and wellness, entertaining, decorating, gardening and more. Rome Curate’s showroom in Birmingham’s Southside is open by appointment, and customers can also shop the website at www. romecurate.com. Website purchases can be picked up in store or shipped to your home.
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chanukah
Eighteenth Street Oriental Rugs
1829 29th Ave. S. Homewood 205/870.3838 18thstreetorientals.com
From the back page of this magazine to under your drink on the coffee table Just In Time To Ruin Jewish Book Month!
These 2x3-foot Turkish rugs by Yastik make ideal Chanukah gifts. Eighteenth Street Orientals has been a part of Birmingham’s design landscape for almost 40 years. Sister and brother duo Paige Drummond and Jim Howard work with sources across the world to provide the best selection of modern and traditional rugs. The Homewood store offers free delivery, installation and in-home consultations.
“He periodically spells my name right.” – Moses “Yes, we gave him a graduate degree. We’re looking into it.” – chancellor, Jewish Theological Seminary “Half of the things he says I said, I never said. Including this.” – his mother
Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience
818 Howard Avenue New Orleans 504/384.2480 msje.org
“He knows more about Judaica than most, and you won’t find any of it in this book.” – his fourth-grade teacher “His translation skills are second to none, and it’s a very close second.” – his Hebrew professor “I’ll deal with him.” – The Almighty Big G
T Cha his n u per fect kah’s stuffdreide l er!
Available Through
www.rearpewmirror.com Or Order on Amazon
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
The Museum of the Southern Jewish Experience specializes in Judaica from the South, from bourbon barrel wood mezuzah cases from Kentucky to Magen David bow ties from Dallas, along with a wide range of Chanukah merchandise. But now, the museum is featuring Israeli products usually sold at The Israel Museum in Jerusalem, such as these epoxy and wood mezuzot. With The Israel Museum closed because of a lack of visitors with the current war in Gaza, some of the proceeds from The Israel Museum’s collection being sold through MSJE will go to help the staff and artists in Israel.
Image Arts
213 Country Club Park Birmingham 205/870.0178 imageartsetc.com
Mon Ami
chanukah
40 Church Street, Crestline Birmingham 205/848.7800 monamibham.com
Photographic and video memories can be some of the most special. Crestline Village’s Image Arts converts old photos and movies to DVD or MP4 format.
Mon Ami is French for “my friend” and the Crestline Village store has become the place to get kids’ clothes sizes 4 to 18, as well as Chanukah gifts.
Owner Hank Spencer, who started the franchise in May 2002, said he has done photos for Chanukah cards and Image Arts also specializes in custom framing. Some of the acrylic frames in the store are also popular gifts.
They have holiday-themed puzzles by White Mountain, watches by Watchitude, winter pants by Iscream, Alabama and Auburn Blue Tooth, shirts as well as hair brushes.
Chateau Drugs and Gifts
3544 West Esplanade Avenue Metairie 504/889.2300 chateaudrugsrx.com Chateau Drugs and Gifts has been a pharmacy since 1977, but it also has a diverse selection of gifts, including art and handmade pottery, Judaica, clothes (mostly sweaters, robes, pajamas), lamps, purses, small luggage, kids’ costumes, New Orleans-themed gifts from Jax Frey as well as Purple Pumpkin, Beatrice Ball, toys, bath and body products, wine charms, as well as much more.
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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chanukah
Knit Bham
3831 Clairmont Ave. Birmingham 205/538.5246 @knitbham (Instagram) Having founded and served as the CEO of a major non-profit in Birmingham, Knit Bham owner Isabel Rubio sought to not just open a knitting store but to create communities — one stitch at a time. After 20 years leading the Hispanic Interest Coalition of Alabama, Rubio has followed her passion and opened the store in Forest Park this past September. “The work I did with HICA focused on building community,” said Rubio. “The pandemic made us realize how much we need togetherness. I wanted to build a shared space for those of us who love the creative fiber arts.” Knit Bham already hosts a few groups for knitting get-togethers and classes for beginners taught by certified instructor Katherine Berdy. Rubio’s longtime friend and Jewish community member Susan Barstein will also teach a “mystery knit-along” in which participants solve clues to what they are to make. Rubio grew up in McComb, Miss., with her
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mom influencing her love of knitting, sewing, cross-stitch and needlepoint. She said her grandfather on her mother’s side was Jewish and Rubio has always embraced the tradition. “My Jewish heritage has always been very important to me,” said Rubio. “I have a mezuzah on my door and some beautiful menorahs. I love celebrating with my friends.” After another store Rubio used to get yarn and knitting supplies at closed during the pandemic, she started planning Knit Bham. “I got some great support from the community and things just fell into place,” she said. Rubio sought out many yarns that weren’t available anywhere else in the Southeast, including Ginger Twist Studio from Scotland; handdyed yarns from the Hudson Valley and those from Japan, Denmark and South America. Knit Birmingham also sells patterns, buttons and other accessories. “It’s about creating sustainable wardrobes through made fashions,” she said. “We think this is a very unique store. There is great joy in the process that leads to the product. It’s a labor of love.”
chanukah
Space Camp: The Gift of Exploration
Earthborn Pottery
7575 Parkway Drive Leeds, Ala 205/702.7055 earthbornpottery.net The blue light leads to Chanukah this year. Earthborn Studios’ annual Blue Light Special Art Show comes is Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Dec. 10 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at its campus in Leeds. This unique event embraces the imperfect “seconds” that never see the light of commerce, as well as the best each of the more than 50 artists has to offer. Artists that make their living selling at various art shows generally end up with pieces that have been nicked or otherwise damaged. The Blue Light Special Art Show is their opportunity to sell these pieces at a discount. The show is inside Cahaba Clayworks and Earthborn Studio’s 24,000-square-foot building. The Blue Light Special Art Show also offers a unique charity event to benefit First Light Women’s Shelter. Empty Bowls pairs local potters with local chefs. For a donation of $25, customers get hot soup and bread served in handmade Earthborn bowls, which they can keep. Earthborn Studios produces high-end, chef-quality pottery and has been featured on television shows such as Iron Chef America. They also make artistic kosher plates, bowls and other dishware, and their settings are used in high-end restaurants across the country.
Does your family value experiences over material things when it comes to gift giving? The U.S. Space and Rocket Center’s Space Camp programs in Huntsville are both meaningful and memorable and may be just the thing to consider this holiday season. Space Camp was founded in 1982, when the space shuttle program was just taking off. NASA knew that it was going to take a lot of engineers, scientists, and technologists to keep that spacecraft flying and to build the International Space Station. So long before STEM became an emphasis in the education world, Space Camp opened with the goal of inspiring kids interested in space exploration. With more than 1 million graduates from all over the world, Space Camp and its sister programs — Aviation Challenge, Space Camp Robotics, and U.S. Cyber Camp — have done exactly that. Thousands of engineers, pilots, astronomers, and, yes, astronauts, attribute the seed planted at Space Camp to their later successes. Space Camp Robotics and U.S. Cyber Camp are available for ages 9 to 18, but Space Camp and Aviation Challenge, with its focus on pilot training, also offer family camp options. Families with children as young as 7 may attend the two-night program on site at the Rocket Center. Each family member is assigned a different role in a simulated space or aviation mission, providing an educational, and fun set of activities to experience together. Family camp programs are not only a unique way for families to spend time together, but they also provide the confidence for children to come back on their own. Sometimes it’s just the spark that ignites an exciting future of exploration.
What’s Your
TRADITION? w w w. g a l a t o i r e s . c o m December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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community
Everyone knows of someone who was in the Home Marlene Trestman writes history of New Orleans’ Jewish Orphans Home In late October, Marlene Trestman embarked on a number of activities in New Orleans connected to the release of her new book, “Most Fortunate Unfortunates: The Jewish Orphans Home of New Orleans.” “There’s no other place the book could launch,” she reflected. The book details the history of the Home, which was established in 1854, dedicated its first building at the beginning of 1856 and closed in 1946, after which the Home has lived on in the form of Jewish Children’s Regional Service. An accomplished attorney, Trestman is a native of New Orleans, and was orphaned when she was 11. She and her brother wound up as wards of the state — had it been two decades earlier, they would have been residents of the Home. Instead, JCRS supervised their foster care as legal guardians. “For all of the advantages I was given in my unfortunate circumstance, I felt like a most fortunate unfortunate,” she said. “I wanted to find out if the children who grew up in the Home felt the same way.” The idea for the book came as she was writing a biography of Bessie Margolin, who was a champion of wage and hour rights for workers, and argued numerous cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Margolin was instrumental in many provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, drafted the original regulations under which the post-World War II Nuremberg trials took place, and was an attorney for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Margolin was also an alumna of the Home. Trestman, who met Margolin when she was headed to college and struck up a lifelong friendship, had often been asked to give talks about Margolin’s legacy. Since nobody
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else was going to write a biography, Trestman decided she had to do it. “As a lawyer, I know how to write,” she said, “but it’s different writing a book where people want to purchase it.” As she went through the Home files from 1913 to 1925, “I was really seeing all the history of the home in the boxes, digests and board minute books.” Going through those files and seeing the range of stories as she was looking for information about Margolin, she knew that her next project had to be the history of the Home. She figured there were two main audiences with different interests — families who had relatives in the Home, and scholars who are looking to understand the history of Jewish orphanages, philanthropy and education. The Home was the first Jewish orphanage in the country to have a purpose-built dedicated building. Trestman is particular about the wording,
community because a Jewish Home in Philadelphia opened before New Orleans, but it was in a rented building. She explained that the founders in New Orleans felt that they had to offer something of permanence to attract donors, so they rejected the idea of renting another facility. “Life in the home was really nothing like the Charles Dickens or Jane Eyre, or even Little Orphan Annie,” Trestman said, but “it certainly was regimented and nothing someone would wish for anyone.” After all, it meant that both parents had died, or one had died and the other was unable to provide care. “The home was always intending to be a compassionate place for the kids, and for the most part it really did serve kids in a humane and caring way, the best that an orphanage can do.” Compared to other Jewish orphanages in the country, the one in New Orleans was rather small. Homes in New York might have 1,000 kids at once, while the Home in New Orleans had a peak enrollment of 173 in 1915, “where there might be seven other kids your age instead of hundreds.” In all, the Home had over 1600 residents in its nine decades of service. With that, “I don’t think you can shake a stick in New Orleans or around the South without
hitting somebody who had a family member in the Home,” Trestman said. There were 390 who came from Texas, while the rest were from the other six states in B’nai B’rith District Seven, which established a formal relationship with the Home in 1875. The book’s title, Trestman said, is somewhat of a question. While not everyone had a happy experience, as one might expect in an orphanage, “by and large” the residents felt fortunate. As she went through stories, “I wasn’t cherry-picking kids.” She said there was “great fortune afforded these children in terms of the care, medical attention, food, clothing, social well being, education they received.” What is now Isidore Newman School was first established in 1904 to educate residents of the Home. When the Home closed, an agreement was reached with the school to continue to admit anyone who would have been eligible for the Home. Trestman said that agreement was used in her case, and she thinks it may have been the last time that was needed. Another institution connected to the Home was a camp in Bay St. Louis, run by the Jewish Charitable and Educational Federation. There was a growing trend to establish camps and get
kids outside of cities during the hot summers, and the Home started bringing the residents there in 1918. By the 1930s, the residents would go to the camp for a month at a time, and it was a “uniformly beloved feature of the home… even kids who hated living in the Home, Bay St. Louis was a respite and soothed their soul.” But the book is only part of the story. Her website, marlenetrestman.com, has an extensive list of resources, including a list of American Jewish orphanages; the founders, officers and superintendents of the New Orleans Home, children’s birthplaces, siblings, ages and lengths of stay; and a searchable list of all of the Home’s children, listed by registry number. The website “may end up being a bigger impact than the book,” she said. In addition, she is assembling profiles of as many of the residents as possible. It is “my way of honoring all the people who shared photographs and memories.” She was “delighted” every time she got a message from someone who had relatives in the Home, whether they knew about it for decades, or started exploring genealogy and found they had an ancestor they did not realize was Jewish and discovered they had been in the Home. Having a relative from the Home was a source
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Southern Jewish Life
Lebanon’s Cafe
Winter Dining Guide
1500 S. Carrollton Ave., New Orleans (504) 862-6200
921 Canal Street, New Orleans inside the Ritz-Carlton
A New Orleans favorite for over 22 years, Lebanon’s Cafe offers authentic Middle Eastern dishes in traditional and fusion varieties, bringing people together through food. Now also open on Tuesdays.
M bistro’s menu is an indigenous approach to the preparation of the finest meats, seafood and produce from growers in Louisiana, Texas, Mississippi and Alabama.
English Tea Room
Kosher Cajun
734 E. Rutland Street Historic Downtown Covington (985) 898-3988
3519 Severn Avenue, Metairie (504) 888-2010
The Windsor High Tea is comprised of sandwiches, mini-savories, mini desserts, two chocolate dipped strawberries, two scones with house-made clotted cream, lemon curd or preserves.
Kosher Cajun New York Deli & Grocery has authentic New York specialties — all Kosher certified. Enjoy classic eats like Reubens and matzah ball soup, plus kosher grocery staples too.
Galatoire’s
Bourbon St. Galatoire’s 33 Bar and Steak 215 (504) 335-3932
209 Bourbon Street (504) 525-2021
The grand dame of New Orleans’ time-honored restaurants, Galatoire’s is a 106-year-old, James Beard award winning restaurant located in the heart of the French Quarter.
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M Bistro
New Orleans
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
The premier destination in the Vieux Carré for enjoying the finest cocktails and traditional steakhouse fare. Galatoire’s “33” Bar & Steak is New Orleans’ next great tradition in a restored historic building that begins a new chapter in Galatoire’s storied history.
Birmingham
Umami
Southern Jewish Life
Winter Dining Guide
2808 7th Avenue South Birmingham (205) 201-4337
The Fish Market
612 22nd Street So., Birmingham (205) 322-3330
A wide variety of Sushi and unique Asian-inspired cuisine, with cold bites, hot bites, Asian-influenced tacos, using carefully selected ingredients intended to create a meticulously crafted flavor.
A Birmingham classic, The Fish Market on Southside offers the freshest seafood around, live music and an oyster bar. Private and semi-private dining available, along with catering.
AHKI
Taj India
121 20th Street North, Birmingham (205) 518-0035
Now open in downtown Birmingham at the former New York Style Deli spot, AHKI brings Mediterranean influenced New York street food to the area, with customizable rice bowls, salads and gyros.
3028 Clairmont Ave., Birmingham (205) 939-3805
Taj India, Birmingham’s original Tandoori Grill and Curry House, celebrates its 26th anniversary with a new location, serving authentic Indian dishes with a daily lunch buffet and extensive dinner menu.
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Paid for by the Committee to Elect Pamela Wilson Cousins, P.O. Box 13616, Birmingham AL 35202
December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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community of pride for so many people, she said. Thus far, she has done 73 profiles on her website, and had hoped to do 100 before the book launched. “I’m going to keep going, I feel a commitment to do that,” she said. She was able to interview many former residents, but “so many of the alumni who I interviewed are now deceased.” The oldest one she interviewed was Ellis Hart, “and I’m so glad I got to interview him before he passed.” Trestman grew up with his niece and nephew, Susan and Richard Hart, at Newman, and she believes their father, Carol, “had a hand in my being identified and able to go to Newman School under the Home’s charter.” Many hugely successful, well known individuals throughout the Jewish South were alumni of the Home, and both the book and website have many of their stories. There were also a lot of stories from the staff. In the 1920s, to provide more adult supervision, promising graduate students were offered free room and board at the Home, as long as they watched the kids and ate with them. In many cases, they wound up being role models.
Uncomfortable topics
WALLACE BURKE
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
Because the book is also for historians, she did not shy away from thornier parts of the Home’s story, starting with the Home’s founders and slavery. Many of the founders owned slaves, showing how deeply rooted the institution was in the South, and how people in the Jewish community participated as part of becoming American. In all, she said 14 of around 30 founders had a total of about 90 slaves, with over half being owned by the Home’s founding vice president. She noted the “apparent irony of the seemingly well intentioned philanthropists who dedicated time and treasure and talent, and at the same time were putting ads in newspapers for their runaway slaves who were mothers and children.” Four of the board members fled the area rather than take the oath of allegiance to the Union after New Orleans fell, she added. “It would have been a huge hole if I hadn’t gone into that,” she said. “It puts the Home in the context of New Orleans and the context of the times.” In recent years, many institutions have faced reckonings of sexual scandals by staff, and the Home also had an episode — but one that was well publicized in the 1880s, when it happened. Rabbi Simon Weil, who had been at the congregation in Woodville, Miss., became superintendent, but after a couple of years was forced out when a 15-year-old girl accused him. Because of the times, the language used was quite vague, but what surprised Trestman is how the board was transparent, issued a statement that was printed in publications across the country, and that they “believed the young accuser and took her word over the former rabbi/teacher who had come with high recommendations.” Despite that, the board released the girl to her brother’s care in Port Gibson and would not consider requests for her to come back to the Home, because of 19th century mores on virtue and purity. As for Trestman’s writing career, unless it is related to her legal work, those days are over. The histories of Margolin and the Home “are the only two stories I felt compelled to write,” though work on the Home’s website is far from done and will continue. “It’s been a complete joy.” In addition to the presence of JCRS, there are a few physical signs of the Home still in New Orleans. The site of its final building became the Jewish Community Center’s Uptown location. The cornerstone from the Home’s 1887 location is embedded in the JCC by the front entrance. When she started writing the book, she went to Jackson and Chippewa, the site of the original Home. “Some of the original intricately designed fence posts are still there,” not connected to anything. A large tree has engulfed that fence, physically growing over it. She reflected, “It’s almost poetic, the history of the Home is so absorbed into New Orleans.”
community SEC basketball tips off; former players share memories of playing in Israel By Lee J. Green As the Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team tries to defend its SEC championship, a former Alabama great-turned-broadcaster fondly remembers his time playing basketball in Israel. Richard Hendrix, an Alabama power forward/center from Athens, Ala., who graduated in 2008 and was drafted by the Golden State Warriors, played with Maccabi Tel Aviv from 2010 to 2012, and again in 2016. “Israel was a very special place to play and live,” said Hendrix, Here’s the predicted order of finish who now lives in Nashville and as voted on at SEC Media Days in broadcasts Alabama games for Birmingham. the SEC Network. “I’d get invit- 1 – Tennessee Volunteers ed regularly to Shabbat dinners 2 – Texas A&M Aggies and Seders. Everyone is so warm, 3 – Arkansas Razorbacks open and hospitable. Those were 4 – Kentucky Wildcats some of the best experiences of 5 – Alabama Crimson Tide my life.” 6 – Auburn Tigers Two of the Maccabi Tel Aviv 7 – Mississippi State Bulldogs teams he was on won the Israeli 8 – Florida Gators league championship and com- 9 – Missouri Tigers peted for the European League 10 – Ole Miss Rebels championship. 11 – Vanderbilt Commodores “Those years really helped cat- 12 – Georgia Bulldogs apult me to success,” he said. “It’s 13 – LSU Tigers such a great environment. The 14 – South Carolina Gamecocks fans are so passionate and there is so much pride in their country.” Hendrix said he still have some good friends, players and coaches in Israel, who he touches base with regularly. “I checked in with them (after the attacks) and offered my support,” he said. This past spring, Alabama Head Coach Nate Oats brought in Ryan Pannone as an assistant. Pannone coached Hapoel Jerusalem from 2016 to 2018 before becoming the head coach of the New Orleans Pelicans’ G-League Birmingham Squadron. During the 2022-23 season, he was an assistant coach for the Pelicans. Florida Head Coach Todd Golden played for Maccabi Haifa from 2008 to 2010 after graduating from St. Mary’s. “Being in Israel was a life-changing experience for me,” said Golden, who grew up in the Phoenix Jewish community. “I learned so much there and it really helped me as I transitioned into coaching. I still have a lot of good friends there and thank goodness they have been safe.” The University of Florida is said to have the largest population of Jewish students of any public university in the country, with about 6,500 Jewish undergraduates and around 9,500 overall. Golden said he has great relationships with the students and Chabad House. “I want them to know I’m there for them,” said Golden. Golden coached under Bruce Pearl from 2014 to 2016 and credits the Auburn coach as being a mentor. In the summer of 2022, Pearl took his Auburn team on a trip to Israel to play some games against Israeli teams and to let his players experience a tour of historic and religious sites. Pearl has been very vocal about his Jewish faith and about his support for Israel. Last month, he spoke at an Israel solidarity event hosted at Birmingham’s Temple Emanu-El. “Israel needs her big brother’s support now more than ever. We need a strong Israel to be able to ally with her peaceful Arab neighbors and deal with the terrorist regime in Iran,” he said. The SEC begins its 2023-24 season conference play on Jan. 6, and the 2024 SEC tournament will be in Nashville.
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counselor’s corner a monthly feature from Collat Jewish Family Services
Talking to Kids About War By Amy Neiman, LMSW Finding the right way to speak with a child or teenager about death, war or terrible uncertainty is not easy. It is our job as parents to reassure our children even when we ourselves are feeling vulnerable. We want to be truthful but not give them more information than they need or can digest. We want to create a feeling of safety but also instill in them an understanding of our imperfect world. It is a difficult balance, and it can be helpful to have a few general guidelines. Below are some tips to guide you in these conversations. • Start by asking your child if they have heard the news and if so, what do they know about it. Correct any misinformation your child has heard. • Ask them how they feel about it. Reassure your child that all feelings are ok. Being scared, angry, anxious, or surprised are all normal things to feel. • Use age-appropriate language. • Answer your child’s questions, without going into extensive detail. Remember it is always okay to say, “I don’t know.” • If possible, focus on what people are doing to help others. Mr. Rogers said it best, “When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping’.” And maybe think about how you could help as a family.
• Monitor television and social media exposure, and be mindful of your conversations around the children, too. If you have a teen with a phone, this is a lot harder to do, so you may need to ask them what they are seeing on the sites they visit. • Continue to check in. As with any difficult conversation, this is not a ‘one and done’ talk. Revisit and check in on your child in a couple of days to see how they are feeling. Ask what else have they heard. Remind them that you are there for them. A friend told me that one of the scariest parts of a crisis is the lack of control we have as bystanders. This is very true, but we do have control of how we navigate the conversation with our children. We can validate their feelings and give them time to express their fears and ask questions. Collat Jewish Family Service Licensed Clinical Social Workers provide confidential professional counseling for people of all ages, including children and teens. For more information, visit CJFS Counseling. For appointments, call (205) 879-3438.
Born to Care If there’s one thing we were born to do, it’s care for people. Not only for the babies we deliver every day, but for everyone in the city we serve. We were born to keep hearts strong, seniors healthy, keep hope alive, and keep all of New Orleans happy and healthy. Because at Touro, we were Born to Care.
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community Temple Beth-El to install Rabbi Steven Henkin Birmingham’s Temple Beth-El will have the formal installation of Rabbi Steven Henkin the weekend of Jan. 12. The 5:45 p.m. Kabbalat Shabbat service will be at 5:45 p.m. on Jan. 12, with a dinner following. Dinner reservations are $18, with a family maximum of $60. On Jan. 13, there will be a Tot Shabbat and Shabbat B’Yachad Family Service in addition to the traditional 9:30 a.m. service, and a kiddush lunch will follow. The installation ceremony will be at a 7 p.m. event with light appetizers and desserts, and music by Kenny Munshaw. The installation event is free. Registration is requested. Henkin became rabbi of the state’s largest Conservative congregation during the summer of 2022.
“Hatikvah” musical event on Feb. 24 at Loyola The Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans will present “Hatikvah: Hope Reborn,” a musical event exploring the origins of Israel’s national anthem. Astrith Baltsan will be the guest artist. Baltsan is an Israeli concert pianist known for her interpretations of the works of Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Schumann and Brahms, as well as for contemporary music. A Tel Aviv native, she graduated from Tel Aviv University and completed her doctorate in piano performance at the Manhattan School of Music. Her “Classics in Personal View” became the largest classical series in Israel, and her research leading to a book and CD about the origins of Hatikvah was deemed a Unique Achievement in Israel’s Cultural Life. The performance will be on Feb. 24 at 7:30 p.m. at the Louis J. Roussel Performance Hall at Loyola University. Tickets will go on sale in January, and sponsorships are available.
Nola Mitzvah Makers Parade on Jan. 21
The 43rd annual B’nai B’rith Mardi Gras Mitzvah Makers Hospital Parade is scheduled for Jan. 21 at Touro Infirmary. Volunteers should gather at the Prytania Street entrance at 9:30 a.m., in preparation for a 10 a.m. start. The parade is for patients who are in longterm care or rehabilitation, and likely would not be able to participate in Mardi Gras festivities. Costumes are encouraged, and musicians should bring their own instruments, but one need not be a musician to participate. Participants are asked to bring beads or plush stuffed animals to use as throws. Currently, the hospital does not require masks on patient floors. December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Publix always adding to its kosher product lines By Lee J. Green Publix continues to grow its kosher products selection and seeks to offer a wide variety during all times of the year. The supermarket, with stores across Alabama and the Florida panhandle, is happy to order products that are available at its other stores and send to a customer’s store. “Publix is committed to providing quality products and services to all of our customers, including customers who are interested in kosher products and recipes,” said Nicole Strauss, a media relations manager for Publix. “We have hundreds of kosher products throughout our stores, or Dining tdoHashanah OuRosh — like Catering notke justOu during holidays and Passover, but t —important Ta on everyday items from ourd produce, grocery and frozen departments.” Chicken Fridays hi andaFrie Susprovide They also wide variety of delicious kosher adaptable recipes pm; n Mondays-Thursdays, 10am-7 throughOpe publix.com/kosher.
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December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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Bake: Preheat oven to 400°F. Halve 1 ripe Hass avocado and scoop out flesh, discarding pit; cut flesh into 8 wedges and arrange in baking dish. Coat with 1 tablespoon oil and ¼ teaspoon each salt, pepper, and crushed red pepper. Bake 20–25 minutes until edges are golden. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice. Sauce: Halve 2 ripe Hass avocados, scoop out flesh, discarding pits. Place flesh in food processor bowl; add 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 ½ cups fresh cilantro, ¼ cup sour cream, and 1 teaspoon complete seasoning. Process until smooth. Serve over cooked chicken or beef.
AHKI’s brings New York street food to the Magic City By Lee J. Green AHKI’s owners envision the new downtown eatery as a melting pot of cuisine and cultures. “We’re from New York and we wanted to bring Mediterranean-influenced New York street-food cuisine to Birmingham,” said Ahmed Hamed, who opened AHKI’s in September with his brother, Tamer. “But it’s more than just the food, it’s the experience,” he said. “Our goal was to create a welcoming space where people can get together to share memorable times.” Ahmed and Tamer’s parents came to New York from Egypt in 1978. His father started with a hot dog cart, then a chicken and rice cart before opening his first deli/bodega-style restaurant a few years later. That American dream expanded to at one time 17 restaurants across New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia. Their father brought the bodega environment to Birmingham in 1999 when he opened New York Style Deli. They included the hot bar, one meat and two vegetables, sandwiches and chopped cheese. “I remember being eight years old and working the cash register at my parents’ restaurants,” Ahmed said. “I’ve been absorbing this ever since I was young. I think a part of me knew all along that this is what I was meant to do.” He and Tamar revitalized the eatery, changing the name and enhancing the menu with new family recipes. All the ingredients at AHKI’s are homemade, from the hummus to the rice to the basmati seasonings to the sauces and meats. The fresh pita chips are seasoned and cold-pressed in Moroccan oil every morning. AHKI’s menu features gyros, salads and rice bowls that can be custom-
ized with a variety of meats, vegetables and sauces. “The great thing is you can build your own (plate or gyro),” said Hamed. “You can customize it any way you want to.” Most of the menu items are kosher-style. AHKI’s — which means “brothers” in Arabic (Achi in Hebrew) — offers in-house dining and take-out. They are open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday.
>> Rear Pew
continued from page 62
insidiously inked since 1996, and the podcast. Yes, lest we forget, Rear Pew Mirror has also been a podcast since 2021. Available on all major platforms, this five-star reviewed podcast is based on columns, past and present. It’s not just reading a column — each episode includes sound effects to great effect, and additional bits that couldn’t get into the column itself due to space limits or unlimited good taste. Every day is some number of shopping days until Chanukah, so get a copy now. Take two, they’re small. It’s the perfect bar or bat mitzvah gift, as long as they don’t read it during their ceremony. Doug Brook does not recommend trying to stuff a copy of “Rear Pew Mirror: Reflections From the Back of the Sanctuary” into a dreidel. Unless you record the attempt and share the video. To acquire the book, read other past columns, or listen to the FIVE-star rated Rear Pew Mirror podcast, visit http://rearpewmirror.com/.
Experience Poydras Home Reimagined Ready for move-in now! Visit PoydrasHome.com or call 504-897-0535 to learn more. December 2023 • Southern Jewish Life
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rear pew mirror • doug brook
The Perfect Dreidel Stuffer It’s time for the triumphant return of our first-ever annual Chanukah Shopping Guide. To make gift-giving decisions simple amid the over-programmed, overloaded shopping season, this guide has exactly one item in it. It’s all anyone will need. With great fanfare — that is, a fair number of ceiling fans were turned on and made the room feel great — the first collection based on this column is now available, in paperback and Kindle. “Rear Pew Mirror: Reflections From the Back of the Sanctuary” contains 29 past columns, all updated with more laughs and fewer typos. Each column has been clinically proven to get laughs out of nearly both of our readers, by virtue of them needing clinical help after reading. It might seem self-serving to focus this shopping guide on this book. In many realms, it would be unthinkable. For example, self-promotion is difficult to get away with in the military. Despite that, we will uniformly discharge our duty, as off we go being all we can be with our anchors aweigh, while turning up our semper hi-fi. This collection includes past columns about holiday mashups, food, biblical sources, culture, and services. Longtime readers can relive the frightful Friday Yom Kippur that brought about Kol Nidre the 13th, or revisit the menu of Italian dishes for the Passover seder which went far beyond matzahroni and cheese. New readers can live or visit them for the first time. Each section of the book is introduced by newly uncovered, related pieces of classic literature. The food section begins with the famous Shakespearean monologue “To eat, or not to eat” from Act Three of “Treiflet.” The services section starts with the lyrYou still have ics to the iconic song from The Man of La Mishnah, “To dream the Shabbat morning to laugh dream…” There’s something for everyone, from sometimes a letter to Superman from the Metropolis Rabbinic Council, to Dr. Seuss’s original, never-proven-to-be-inauthentic, ‘Twas the Night Before Chanukah. You may ask, in these trying times, is it appropriate to laugh? Yes. There’s a story about Rabbi Akiva where, sometime after the destruction of the Second Temple, he and several other rabbis entered Rome. The other rabbis began crying, but Rabbi Akiva started laughing. The other rabbis asked why he was laughing. In true rabbinic form, Rabbi Akiva answered by asking his own question: why were they crying? They asked how could they not cry when these Romans who sacrifice to idols and bow to false gods live happily and securely, while for the rabbis the Second Temple had been destroyed. Rabbi Akiva said that’s why he was laughing. If this is what the Almighty Big G gave to people who anger Him, can you imagine how much more will come to His people? Similarly, Rabbah — a late Third-Century Talmudist — would start his talks with a joke. Of course, he was teaching to a captive audience and didn’t need to win their attention, but starting with a laugh would loosen up his students’ minds to expand their thinking. It gave students permission to approach things differently. So, if you ever need a break from the world, in this book you can revisit last decade’s anomaly known as Thanksnukah, or preview the yet-to-happen happenstance of Chanukippur. But, wait, there’s more. With the release of this book, Rear Pew Mirror is now a triple-threat. There’s the book, the column itself which has been continued on previous page 62
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